Australia will look to complete a 3-0 ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe on Sunday, with Cameron Green in line to return after missing the opening two matches with a shoulder niggle. Australia have dominated the series so far and produced an emphatic performance in the second ODI, overcoming the absence of injured fast bowler Billy Stanlake to secure a comfortable victory. The Australians were particularly impressive with the bat, with Travis Head ending a relatively lean run in spectacular fashion. The opener smashed a 75-ball century, reaffirming his role as an aggressive force at the top of the order. Head said his approach will continue to involve taking risks and putting pressure on opposition bowlers. "My role in the team is to be aggressive at the top. I'm not always going to go out and be as consistent as I would love to be. I want to put bowlers under pressure." There were also encouraging performances from Australia's emerging players. Cooper Connolly recorded his third consecutive score of more than 50, becoming the youngest Australian men's player to achieve the feat in ODIs. Ollie Peake also impressed with a powerful late-innings contribution, further underlining his potential. With the ODI World Cup a major focus for Australia, the series has also provided valuable preparation ahead of next month's Test series against South Africa. Josh Hazlewood has continued the strong form he showed against Bangladesh, while Australia's depth has been tested by Stanlake's injury. Zimbabwe Searching for a Response Zimbabwe showed plenty of resistance in the second ODI but struggled to keep pace with Australia's batting dominance. Their top order repeatedly made starts without converting them into substantial scores. Seven of their top eight batters reached at least 23, but Sikandar Raza's 45 was the highest individual score. Zimbabwe eventually posted 272, becoming only the fourth ODI team to make a total above 270 without a batter scoring a half-century. The hosts will hope to avoid another series whitewash. When Zimbabwe last toured Australia four years ago, they lost the first two ODIs before producing a surprise victory in the final match. Bennett Under Pressure to Convert Starts Brian Bennett will be one of Zimbabwe's key players heading into the final ODI. Since his outstanding 169 against Ireland in February 2025, Bennett has struggled to produce a major score in the format. He has made starts of 25 and 23 during this series but has failed to build a substantial innings. His strike rate is also only slightly above 70, while opening partner Ben Curran is scoring at 62.50, highlighting Zimbabwe's difficulty in maintaining an aggressive tempo at the top of the order. Inglis Closing in on ODI Milestone Josh Inglis has also endured a quiet series, although Australia's management continues to view him as an important part of their batting plans for the next World Cup. Inglis was preferred ahead of Alex Carey during Australia's 2023 World Cup campaign after playing just one match. In this series, however, he has yet to make a significant contribution, falling to impressive catches in both matches. The wicketkeeper-batter is nevertheless only six runs away from reaching 1,000 ODI runs. Green Expected to Return Australia are expected to bring Cameron Green back into the XI after he missed the first two games because of a shoulder issue. If Green returns, Alex Carey could make way after Ollie Peake's impressive performances in the middle and lower order. Billy Stanlake's tour also appears to be over after he left the field just two balls into his fifth over in the second ODI. Australia could use the final match to give Spencer Johnson another opportunity. Probable Australia XI Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Ollie Peake, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Spencer Johnson. Probable Zimbabwe XI Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor (wicketkeeper), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (captain), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamburi, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani. Pitch Expected to Offer More Runs The second ODI pitch appeared more conducive to free-flowing batting than the surface used in the opening match. There has been some early movement for the fast bowlers in both games, although the conditions have not been as challenging as the early starts might have suggested. Spinners have also found assistance at different stages. The final match could therefore provide another opportunity for Australia's batters to build confidence while Zimbabwe seek improvements with both bat and ball. Key Stats Josh Inglis needs six runs to reach 1,000 ODI runs. Brendan Taylor needs 40 runs to overtake Andy Flower as Zimbabwe's leading ODI run-scorer. Josh Hazlewood moved ahead of Pat Cummins in Australia's ODI wicket tally, reaching 144 wickets compared with Cummins' 143. Cooper Connolly has recorded three consecutive ODI scores above 50.

Matt Renshaw produced a composed maiden ODI century as Australia posted a competitive 294 for 8 against Zimbabwe in the first ODI. Renshaw’s innings, supported by useful contributions from Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey and Ollie Peake, helped Australia recover from a difficult start. Zimbabwe’s 20-year-old left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri was the standout bowler, claiming a career-best 5 for 62 to prevent Australia from pushing beyond the 300-run mark. Australia were in early trouble at 107 for 4 in the 18th over when Renshaw arrived at the crease. The left-hander steadied the innings with a 72-run partnership with Carey before adding another 75 with Peake. Renshaw’s innings was built around excellent running between the wickets. He collected 49 singles and seven twos, constantly rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard moving. Zimbabwe made early inroads on a pitch offering plenty of grass for the seamers. Travis Head fell cheaply after dragging a Brad Evans delivery onto his stumps, marking his fourth consecutive dismissal in that manner. Connolly and Mitchell Marsh initially counterattacked, taking advantage of short and wide deliveries. However, Nyamhuri struck again when Marsh miscued a delivery to Brian Bennett at cover. Nyamhuri then removed Josh Inglis, with Brendan Taylor producing an outstanding one-handed catch at gully. Zimbabwe briefly gained control, with three consecutive boundary-less overs following the dismissal. Connolly, however, survived two crucial moments. He was dropped at midwicket on 41 before being caught behind off a Sikandar Raza no-ball. He made Zimbabwe pay by launching the resulting free hit over long-off to complete his half-century. His innings ended two balls later when Raza beat his outside edge and bowled him. Raza also handed Renshaw a major reprieve. The batter was dropped on 12 after hitting a low full toss towards midwicket, with Craig Ervine unable to hold on. At the halfway stage, Australia were 147 for 4, with Zimbabwe keeping the scoring rate below six an over. Renshaw gradually increased the tempo, striking two sixes against Bennett and Wellington Masakadza, including one that landed on the stadium roof. His partnership with Carey eventually reached 72 before Evans returned to the attack and had Carey caught at gully. Renshaw brought up his half-century from 55 balls and then accelerated alongside Peake. The pair added 75 runs, taking Australia to 228 for 5 with 10 overs remaining and putting the 300-run mark firmly within reach. Peake contributed a brisk 40 from 30 balls before being dismissed hit wicket. Nyamhuri then claimed his fourth wicket when Xavier Bartlett offered a simple catch to Ervine at cover. With Renshaw on 96 and Australia having only three wickets remaining, the century was within touching distance. A single and two runs off Blessing Muzarabani followed before Renshaw reached his landmark with a single off Evans' full toss. The century came from 88 balls, with Renshaw's second fifty requiring only 33 deliveries. His achievement was greeted by warm applause from the crowd and his teammates. Renshaw's innings finally ended in the final over when he holed out to the leg side off Nyamhuri, who completed his career-best five-wicket haul. Zimbabwe conceded 66 runs in the final 10 overs, but Nyamhuri's five-wicket performance ensured Australia finished on 294 for 8 rather than reaching the 300-plus total they had appeared capable of achieving. With Australia posting a competitive score and Zimbabwe needing to negotiate a testing pitch, the first ODI is finely poised heading into the second innings.

Australia captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to bat first against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club under clear blue skies. The decision comes despite a pitch offering considerably more grass than usual, with Zimbabwe stand-in captain Sikandar Raza admitting he would have preferred to bowl first. Marsh, who spent part of his childhood in Zimbabwe, returns to the country with fond memories and will open the innings alongside Travis Head. The pair are reunited at the top of the order after missing Australia's previous two series, with Cooper Connolly moving into the No. 3 position. Australia have made two notable changes to their playing XI. Allrounder Cameron Green has been ruled out because of shoulder soreness, while fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been rested as Australia manage his workload during a busy season. ODI captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc remain at home after being rested for the Zimbabwe leg of the tour. Nathan Ellis will spearhead Australia's attack, supported by Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson. Johnson returns to the ODI side for the first time since the 2025 Champions Trophy. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have opted for three specialist seamers, with Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri and Brad Evans included in the XI. Evans, despite his ability to contribute with the bat and finish innings, has been listed at No. 8. Raza is leading Zimbabwe in the absence of injured captain Richard Ngarava. The home side will hope the grass on the surface and possible moisture in the air provide assistance to their seamers early in Australia's innings. The Zimbabwe XI also features a notable blend of experience. Raza, Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine are all 40 years old, while veteran spinner Graeme Cremer, who turns 40 next week, has been named among the substitutes. Teams Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (capt), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani. Australia: Mitch Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

Zimbabwe have named an experienced squad for their upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, with Sikandar Raza set to captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Richard Ngarava. The series begins on September 15 in Harare, with the remaining two matches scheduled for September 18 and 20. It will be Australia's first visit to Zimbabwe in 12 years and the first ODI meeting between the two sides since 2022. Ngarava has been ruled out as he continues his recovery from a lower-back injury. The fast bowler missed Zimbabwe's recent T20I tri-series in Namibia, and his condition could keep him sidelined beyond the Australia series. Zimbabwe are scheduled to travel to the UAE in October for a tri-series involving Afghanistan and Bangladesh, followed by two Tests against Afghanistan. In Ngarava's absence, Blessing Muzarabani is expected to lead Zimbabwe's pace attack, with Brad Evans and Newman Nyamhuri also included. Tanaka Chivanga remains unavailable because of an Achilles injury. Brendan Taylor returns Veteran batter and wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor has been recalled to the ODI squad. Taylor will share wicketkeeping responsibilities with Tadiwanashe Marumani. The 39-year-old last played an ODI for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in August 2025. His return means Clive Madande misses out on the squad. Taylor's experience will be particularly valuable alongside Craig Ervine in the middle order, as Zimbabwe look to reduce their reliance on young batting all-rounder Brian Bennett. Cremer set for ODI comeback Legspinner Graeme Cremer is also set to make his return to ODI cricket after nearly eight years. His last ODI appearance came in 2018. Cremer returned to international cricket last year during Zimbabwe's campaign to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup and is now available across all three formats. His experience will add depth to Zimbabwe's bowling attack. Zimbabwe also defeated Australia during the 2026 T20 World Cup on their way to the Super Eight stage, a result that helped them secure automatic qualification for the 2028 edition. With Raza leading a squad featuring a blend of experience and emerging talent, Zimbabwe will hope to put up a strong challenge against Australia in the three-match series in Harare. Zimbabwe squad for Australia ODIs Sikandar Raza (captain) Ben Curran Blessing Muzarabani Brad Evans Brendan Taylor Brian Bennett Craig Ervine Ernest Masuku Graeme Cremer Innocent Kaia Newman Nyamhuri Ryan Burl Tadiwanashe Marumani Wellington Masakadza Wessly Madhevere