Australia showcased their awesome batting potential ahead of next year's World Cup when allrounders Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh cut loose in the tri-series one-day opener against Zimbabwe in Harare.
The pair put on a stunning 109 off 54 balls for the fourth wicket on Monday to catapult Australia to 6-350 in the highest-ever one-day total at Harare Sports Club.
Minnows Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl but they were completely torn to shreds, particularly late on as Australia smashed 147 runs from the last 10 overs of the innings.
Marsh, who hasn't played ODI cricket in over 14 months, wasted no time in pressing his claim to become a spearhead of Australia's World Cup campaign on home soil, clubbing 89 off 83 balls for his maiden half-century.
But Maxwell stole the show with his barnstorming knock of 93 off 46 balls, which featured nine fours and five sixes.
Although both men were disappointed at not converting for the first centuries of their international careers, their performances were more than convincing.
Maxwell brought up his 50 in just 28 balls, a snapshot into how quickly he can change the course of a match.
A reverse slog sweep for six over the longest boundary was the highlight, but he was also brilliant square of the wicket, down the ground and even over the head of the wicketkeeper.
Not to be outdone, Marsh cleared the fence four times and even Mitchell Johnson (20) got in on the act late, shattering glass in the commentary box with a thundering straight drive at the death.
The esteem Marsh is held in by the Australian hierarchy was illustrated by his elevation to No.3 in the batting order and he didn't disappoint - backing up a strong past six weeks for Australia A.
With captain Michael Clarke sidelined indefinitely with a hamstring problem, selectors backed Australia's band of big-hitting allrounders over handing a recall to recognised batsman Phil Hughes.
The platform was laid by Aaron Finch (67 off 79) and Brad Haddin (46 off 58) at the top of the order, although both openers would have been disappointed not to go on with the job after carrying Australia to 0-98.
Proceedings slowed for Australia in the middle overs, and when George Bailey departed for 14 in the 37th over, the tourists were 3-178.
But that only brought Maxwell to the crease who wasted no time in accelerating the run-rate.
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