Australia took a 1-0 lead in their three-match series against Zimbabwe after securing a 59-run victory at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday. The match, Australia’s first One-Day International in Zimbabwe since 2014, was defined by maiden milestones for Matt Renshaw and Nathan Ellis.
Matt Renshaw top-scored for the visitors with 109 from 94 balls. The innings was his first ODI century and his first international hundred since the 2017 Sydney Test against Pakistan. Renshaw entered the crease following early wickets to stabilize the Australian middle order.
“I just tried to rebuild the innings. We lost a few wickets (after) the boys started really well. I did not feel under any scoring pressure. It was really nice. Pitch was nice. Ten years between international hundreds was not something I was expecting,” Renshaw said.
Zimbabwe’s Newman Nyamhuri finished with figures of 5-62, becoming the first Zimbabwean pace bowler to take an ODI five-wicket haul against Australia. At 20 years old, Nyamhuri’s performance is the second-best by a Zimbabwean against Australia in the format, trailing only Ryan Burl’s 5-10 in 2022.
Mitchell Marsh captained Australia in his 100th One-Day International, standing in for Pat Cummins. Australia reached a total of 294-8, with Cameron Green ruled out of the XI due to shoulder soreness.
In response, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235. Nathan Ellis led the Australian defense with 5-31 from 9.1 overs, marking his maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket. Sikandar Raza provided the primary resistance for the hosts with 57, though he struggled with an apparent right knee injury. Raza was eventually bowled by Spencer Johnson while visibly limited by the complaint.
The match featured the return of veterans Brendan Taylor, who made 41, and Graeme Cremer to the Zimbabwe side. The hosts played without regular captain Richard Ngarava, who is sidelined with a back injury.
The three-match series remains in Harare for the second ODI on Friday, September 18.
