Jason Gillespie made short work of Zimbabwe's top order

Michael Clarke hit his first one-day century for Australia as they cruised to a 3-0 series win in Zimbabwe.

Clarke made the most of a chance to open the batting in the absence of Matthew Hayden with an unbeaten 105.

Set a target of 197, Australia reached 199-2 in 30.4 overs after Adam Gilchrist had set them on their way with 44 off 27 balls.

Jason Gillespie earlier took 5-32 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 196 despite Elton Chigumbura's 77.

It was the 18-year-old's highest score in six one-day appearances and saved the home side from total collapse after being reduced to 61-6.

Australia went into the game with Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson replacing Hayden and Darren Lehmann.

Zimbabwe made three changes with Nkala and Chigumbura returning and 19-year-old seamer Ed Rainsford making his debut.

They were put in by Ricky Ponting after he won the toss, and immediately lost Brendan Taylor in Gillespie's first over.

He was lbw for one and Gillespie also accounted for Stuart Matsikenyeri, Vusi Sibanda, Mark Vermeulen and Alester Maregwede in a single 10-over spell.

Chigumbura, 18, is the youngest member of the Zimbabwe team

Matsikenyeri departed for four when he carved a rising ball straight to Watson and backward point, Sibanda was caught behind for two, and a stand of 32 between Vermeulen and Taibu ended when Gillespie took a return catch to dismiss Vermeulen for 17.

Alester Maregwede was bowled for one by a perfect yorker before Michael Kasprowicz got in on the act by having Taibu lbw for 27 with the final delivery of his spell as he too bowled his full allocation straight off.

Glenn McGrath and Watson, although tidy, could not find the same penetration as Chigumbura and Nkala steered Zimbabwe towards respectability.

Chigumbura reached his half century off 63 balls with an off-driven four and they were only 16 short of equalling the one-day seventh wicket record partnership for Zimbabwe, held by Heath Streak and Andy Flower, when Nkala was bowled by spinner Brad Hogg playing across the line.

The final three wickets all went in a single over, beginning with the downfall of Tawenda Mupariwa, who was run out after Chigumbura refused his call for a quick single.

Chigumbura was bowled by a straight one by Hogg, who repeated it two balls later to win an lbw decision agaisnt last man Waddington Mwayenga.

Australia were in no mood to hang about when they began their reply and Gilchrist immediately set about the inexperienced home attack.

He's still a young player - but he's got a big future in the game Ricky Ponting on Clarke Full post-match reaction

He hit three fours and a six off successive balls from Tawanda Mupariwa but the bowler gained his revenge when Gilchrist dragged the next delivery into his stumps.

Clarke, who had been content in the supporting role, reached his fifty with a four through mid-wicket, the eighth of the 16 in his innings, and then looked to raise his tempo.

Symonds contributed 20 before being caught at mid-on as he tried to launch Mupariwa over the top.

But it did not disturb Clarke who went 6-4-4 off Chigumbura to move onto 99 and then steered the ball away to backward for the single which carried him to three figures from 97 balls.

He then wrapped up the match by driving Chigumbura over cover for another boundary as he and Watson (18) shared an unbroken stand of 84.

Zimbabwe: S Matsikenyeri, B R M Taylor, V Sibanda, M A Vermeulen, T Taibu (Capt, Wkt), A Maregwede, E Chigumbura, E C Rainsford, T Mupariwa, W Mwayenga, M L Nkala.

Australia: A C Gilchrist (Wkt), M J Clarke, R T Ponting (Capt), D R Martyn, A Symonds, S R Watson, I J Harvey, G B Hogg, J N Gillespie, M S Kasprowicz, G D McGrath.