Zimbabwe vs Australia AUS in ZIM, 3 ODIs, 2026, Full Score Card

Nathan Ellis has done it for Australia. The Aussies win by 1 wicket and complete the clean sweep. Fuller on middle and off, Nathan Ellis flicks this up and over the mid-wicket fielder and runs a couple, even though they needed just a single to seal the contest. Wessly Madhevere is leaning on the shoulder of his skipper, Sikandar Raza, as he must be the one feeling to have let his team down with a dropped catch that could have sealed it for the home side.

Super Over anyone? Sikandar Raza is taking his time to set the field. Long on and deep mid-wicket are still on the fence, while the rest are all up in the circle.

SCORES ARE LEVEL! Fired into the batter, on the pads, Spencer Johnson tucks this to mid-wicket for one run.

Quicker one, around off, Spencer Johnson punches this to the short mid off fielder.

Short of a length, around the pads, Nathan Ellis punches this through mid on for a single. That brings the equation down to 2 needed off 4 balls.

SIX! PINDROP SILENCE, AS THIS HAS LANDED OUT OF THE PARK! Tossed up, around middle and off, Nathan Ellis gets right underneath the ball and pumps this over long on for a huge six. This changes the dynamics of the game here. 3 needed off 5 balls.

Who will it be to win the game for Zimbabwe? Sikandar Raza had the option of Graeme Cremer, but he has opted for Wessly Madhevere. 'I am speechless,' quips Jason Gillespie on Raza's decision. Madhevere has the perfect opportunity to redeem himself after that dropped catch. Australia need 9 runs from the final over.

Now that's interesting. Good length, around off, Spencer Johnson guides this to the third man fielder, and Ellis asks him to stay in his crease as he denies the run on offer.

Short and wide of off, Spencer Johnson cuts this to the right of deep point. Wessly Madhevere charges across to his right and slides to his right to mop it up. A couple of runs for Johnson.

Good length, around middle and leg, Nathan Ellis pushes at the ball but gets it edged through cover-point for a single.

DROPPED! One of Zimbabwe's best fielders, Wessly Madhevere, has grassed it. On a length, around middle and leg, Nathan Ellis clears his front foot and looks for a wild slog. Hits this high in the air and towards the deep mid-wicket region. Wessly Madhevere gets underneath the ball but shells the chance to win the game for his side. Two runs taken.

WIDE! Short and wide outside off, Nathan Ellis leaves it. Wided.

Full and on middle and off, Spencer Johnson punches this away to long on off his front foot for a single.

Yorker, on off, Nathan Ellis drills it to long on for a single.

Brad Evans has bowled out, as have Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza. Ernest Masuku has been given the task of bowling the penultimate over.

Full and on the pads, Nathan Ellis tucks this to the right of Raza at mid-wicket for a single. Australia require 17 runs off 12 balls.

Short and on middle and off, Nathan Ellis fends this to mid-wicket.

Full and around off, Spencer Johnson thumps this to the right of mid off for a single.

On a length, wide of off, shaping into the batter and keeps low as well. Spencer Johnson looks to keep it out on off but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Pitched-up delivery, wide of off, Spencer Johnson punches this on the bounce to Raza at covers. A crowd catch.

Good length, around off, Nathan Ellis dabs this to the left of backward point and rotates the strike.

Low full-toss, around off, Nathan Ellis punches this to long off for a single. Australia require 20 runs from 18 balls.

Way too full, on off, Nathan Ellis punches this back to the bowler.

Someone has walked right across the sight screen. That has put Nathan Ellis off, and he stops Sikandar Raza in his delivery stride.

Off-break around middle and leg, turning into the batter. Nathan Ellis misses on the flick and gets hit on his thigh pad. A loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. That looked high.

Short of a length, stays a fraction low, around off, Spencer Johnson punches this to long off for one run.

Quicker one, around off, Spencer Johnson has a jab at the ball and gets lucky with an inside edge onto his pads.

Floated on off, Spencer Johnson punches this on the bounce back to the bowler.

Sikandar Raza is back for his final over. 9-0-40-2 so far for Zimbabwean skipper.

FOUR! Short one, around off, Nathan Ellis keeps his head down and pulls at it. Gets a top edge that takes the ball racing away to the right of Blessing Muzarabani down at fine leg. The tall man dives to his right but in vain. 250 comes up for Australia. 22 needed from 24 balls.

Hard length, on the pads, Nathan Ellis hops up on his toes and tucks this to the mid-wicket fielder.

Back of a length, around the pads, Spencer Johnson helps this to the fine leg region for a single.

Brad bowls it on the shorter side, around off, Spencer Johnson looks to keep it out but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Spencer Johnson is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Zimbabwe are on the cusp of a historic upset here in Harare. Short-pitched delivery from Brad Evans. Adam Zampa fancies his chances with a pull but hits this straight down the throat of Brian Bennett in the deep square leg region. Bennett makes no mistake and holds onto it. Australia are 245 for 9, still needing 27 to win.

On a length, around off, Adam Zampa presses onto his front foot and punches this to mid off.

Brad Evans comes back on.

Out comes the googly, on a good length, on middle. Ellis picks it from the hand as he presses back to stab it down safely.

Looped up a bit, on middle. Ellis gets forward to defend it solidly.

On the pads, full in length. Ellis nudges it to square leg. Zampa sets off for the run before being sent back and rightly so, as the fielder got to the ball quickly.

Fuller and on middle. Zampa goes back to a ball he was better off being forward to. He knocks it to long on and crosses over.

On the shorter side, on off. Ellis goes on the back foot and punches it to deep cover. They cross.

Flighted delivery, on the pads. Zampa flicks it behind square leg and turns the strike over.

Slower and tighter, on the off stump. Ellis leans across to smother the spin.

FOUR! Easy pickings! A rare loose ball by Raza, full and sprayed down leg at 94 kph. Ellis makes use of the angle and the pace to help it to the left of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. 30 needed off 37 balls.

Around off, on a good length. Ellis plays a punchy drive but can't get it past the man at a catching cover.

Full and fast, on off. Nathan gets forward to defend.

Floated up, on off, this is eased down to long on for a single.

Spinning back in, on a length, on middle. Zampa lunges and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Australia need 35 off the last 7 overs.

Pushes the length up, on off. Ellis stabs it down on the off side.

Switches to around the wicket now, dug in short, across off. Adam gets his hands high and dabs it wide of point for a run.

The length is pulled back, on middle and leg. Zampa stays back and shovels it behind square leg. Wessly Madhevere sprints to his right and slides but the ball gets parried away off his knees, allowing the batters to complete the second run with ease.

Too straight, too full, on the pads. Ellis uses the pace and the angle to help it down to deep fine leg, where Ben Curran tidies up. Just a single.

Bangs it in short, angled into the right-hander. Zampa takes his eyes off the ball as he fends it awkwardly behind square leg for one.

Attacks the stumps with a length ball. Zampa stays rooted to the crease and blocks it out with a straight bat.

Blessing Muzarabani to bowl out.

Spinning back in, on a good length, on middle. Ellis taps it to cover.

Drops it short, on off. Zampa punches it to long off and takes a single.

Looped up, very full, on off. Ellis drives it to long off for a run.

Flatter and on a length, outside off. Ellis hangs back and punches it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.

Full and attacking the front pad. Zampa pushes out in front of his body as he works it down the deck. Raza dives to his right and even though he gets a hand on the ball, it is not enough to prevent the single.

The pendulum swings again. Adam Zampa walks out at 10 for Australia.

OUT! TIMBER! Sikandar Raza gets the big fish on his return to the attack. Risk taken by Inglis and it does not come off for him. Tossed up by Raza in line with the off stump. Josh gives the bowler the charge and stays beside the line of the ball, looking to go inside out. He plays down the wrong line and is beaten past the outside edge. The ball goes on to clatter into the off pole as Raza roars in delight. Inglis will be disappointed with himself for having given it away. Australia are now 227/8, requiring 45 runs from 53 balls.

Dishes out the googly, on middle. The ball is not all that short but Ellis rocks back and manages to keep it out.

Edged away! Cremer hangs it up there, full and on middle and leg. Ellis does well not to push at the ball with hard hands. The ball spins away from him to take the outside edge. It goes down and wide of Sikandar Raza at slip. The short third fielder gives chase and hauls it in as the battters pick up a couple.

Very full, on middle. Nathan presents a straight bat to keep it out.

Drops it short, on off. Ellis presses onto the back foot and punches it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Bowls the googly, full and on middle. Ellis keeps his bat close to the front pad as he turns it to square leg.

Tossed up, on middle. Inglis steps out and takes the ball on the full, whipping it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Time for Powerplay 3! Zimbabwe are now allowed 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the rest of the innings.

Short and around off, Josh Inglis guides this to the deep third fielder for one run. Australia need 50 runs from 60 balls.

On a length, around off, Josh Inglis gets onto his front foot and punches this to mid off.

Back of a length, on off, Josh Inglis guides this through backward point and doesn't take the run on offer.

Back of a length, around off, Josh Inglis dabs this through short third but does not take the single.

Bouncer, around off, Josh Inglis arches back and looks to play the upper cut but misses.

Good length, on off, Nathan Ellis keeps it out around the off side and rotates the strike.

WIDE! Short and way too wide of off, Wided.

Tossed up, on the pads, Nathan Ellis tickles it to the long leg region for a single.

Quicker one, around off, Nathan Ellis steers this to the backward point fielder.

Slower and fuller around off, Nathan Ellis plays this late and guides this to the short third region for a dot.

Quicker one, on the pads, Nathan Ellis gets it brushed off his pads to the left of the keeper.

Tossed up, on leg, Josh plays the reverse lap and the ball goes to the left of short third for a single.

FOUR! CENTURY FOR JOSH INGLIS! His 2nd in ODI cricket. Fuller around middle and off, Josh Inglis steps across the stumps and sweeps this behind square on leg for a boundary to bring up his century. Josh has played just 38 dots in this innings, which shows how busy he has kept himself and how he has paced his innings.

Full and around off, Nathan Ellis defends this one.

Even this has just missed the stumps. Back of a length, around off, Nathan Ellis backs away and looks to just get bat on ball but misses out.

Good length wide of off, Nathan Ellis punches this to cover-point.

Good length, around off, Josh Inglis guides this to the third man region for one.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere. Zimbabwe are sensing blood here. Bouncer around the left shoulder of Nathan Ellis. The batter gets into an awkward position and gets it gloved just behind the keeper for a single. Brendan Taylor tried to backtrack and gather it, but he tripped and fell on his back. He was not going to get to the ball anyway.

Back of a length, around off, Nathan Ellis hops up on his toes and dabs this to point.

Sikandar Raza brings back his premier pacer. Here's Blessing Muzarabani. 7-1-39-0 so far for Muzarabani.

Tossed up, on the pads, Nathan Ellis milks this through square leg for a single.

FOUR BYES! How has that missed the stumps? Googly first up to Ellis, on a fuller length. Nathan fails to read it and gets beaten on the inside. The ball bounces over the leg stump and beats the keeper before going to the boundary behind the stumps for four byes.

Nathan Ellis is the new man in. There is a slip in place for the new batter.

OUT! LBW! Zimbabwe get the review right. Two wickets in quick succession. Googly, around middle and off, Xavier Bartlett goes deep inside the crease and looks to punch this down the ground. Appears to be going down the leg side, but the home side appeals for LBW. The umpire turns it down. Sikandar Raza opts for DRS. Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball hitting the leg stump. The on-field decision is overturned. Australia lose their 7th wicket. They need 66 runs from 76 balls.

Slider, on the pads, Xavier Bartlett lunges for the block but gets an inside edge. The ball rolls through mid-wicket off his front foot, and the batters run hard to complete a couple.

Short of a length, around off, Xavier Bartlett hits this to extra cover.

Darted onto the pads, Xavier Bartlett dead bats it.

Floated on middle and off, Xavier Bartlett smashes this down the ground to long off for a single.

Quicker one on off, Xavier Bartlett punches this back to the bowler.

Xavier Bartlett walks in at number 8.

OUT! LBW! That's a beauty of a delivery. Much slower at 82 kph, bowled full and on off, straightening after pitching. Oliver Peake plays for the one coming in with the angle. Gets beaten on the outside edge and the ball hits his back pad. A loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Oliver Peake asks for the review. Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball crashing into the middle stump. Peake takes the review with him. Zimbabwe rejoice, and this game is far from being over. Australia are now 203/6, needing 69 runs from 86 balls.

Tossed up, on off, Oliver Peake prods in front and keeps it out.

Too full, on off, Oliver Peake strides onto his front foot and pushes this to covers.

Flatter and fuller around off, Oliver Peake defends it out.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Oliver Peake drives this down the ground to long off for one run.

Speared onto the pads, Josh Inglis shimmies down the track and milks this through the mid-wicket region for a single.

Tossed up, around off, Oliver Peake drives this to wide long off for a single.

Fuller on middle and off, Oliver Peake punches this back to the bowler.

Fired around off, Oliver Peake defends this to the off side.

Floated around off, Oliver Peake leaves it.

DRINKS BREAK! Australia continue to be in control of the chase despite losing two wickets in the span of 3 overs. A wicket soon after the break, ideally that of Josh Inglis from Zimbabwe's perspective, would make this game really interesting. The Aussies have done well to keep the scoreboard ticking. Even if the boundaries have not come frequently, they have run hard between the wickets and not allowed the Zimbabwean bowlers to settle into their lines and lengths.

Tossed up, around off, Josh Inglis goes for a reverse sweep but misses out and gets hit on the pads outside the line of the off stump. 72 runs needed in 96 balls.

200 comes up for the Aussies. Pushed through on off, Oliver Peake punches this to long off for a single.

Pushed through on off, Oliver Peake guides this to backward point.

Fuller around off, Oliver Peake keeps it out.

Too full, around the pads, Oliver Peake clips this through the backward square leg region and runs a couple here.

Fuller on off, Oliver Peake defends this out.

Floated around off, Oliver Peake punches this through the covers region for one run.

Tossed up, around off, Oliver Peake defends this off his back foot.

Tossed up delivery, on off, Josh Inglis rocks back and punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Pushed through around off, Quicker one around off, Josh Inglis goes deep inside the crease and opens his bat face to guide this through the left of the third man fielder for a boundary.

Floated around off, Oliver Peake tucks this through the mid-wicket region for a single.

FOUR! Short of a length, on middle and off, Oliver Peake rocks onto his back foot and pulls this to the left of the long on fielder. Ernest Masuku moves to his left but cannot make a clean stop on the first attempt. It trickles towards the ropes as Masuku pulls it back, but the replays show that the ball had brushed the boundary rope and the umpire signals wide.

Graeme Cremer comes back into the attack. 3-0-22-1 so far for the leggie.

Fired around middle and off, Oliver Peake goes deep inside the crease and works this to the long on region for a single. 86 needed from 108 balls.

Too full, around off, Oliver Peake defends this off his front foot.

Fired around off, Oliver Peake rocks back and punches this to covers.

Under-cutter, on the pads, Oliver Peake tucks this to the mid on fielder.

Short of a length, around middle and off, Josh Inglis punches this through mid on for one run.

Tossed up on the pads, Josh Inglis tucks this to square leg for a dot.

Fuller around off, Oliver Peake goes deep inside his crease and punches this through the covers region for a couple of runs.

Quicker one, on off, Oliver Peake blocks this off his back foot.

Short of a length, around off, Oliver Peake punches this to the deep point region for a couple of runs.

Full and on the pads, Josh Inglis flicks this to the long on region for one run.

Tossed up, on off, Josh looks for a paddle sweep but gets it toe-poked around the leg side.

Full and on middle and leg, Josh Inglis tucks this to the leg side for no run.

On a back of a length, outside off. Peake is happy to let it pass. After the ball goes through, Oliver shadows the pull.

Shorter now, on off. Peake goes for the cut but chops it down to backward point.

Fuller in length, outside off. Peake does not move his feet at all and extends his hands to crack the drive towards backward point, where the fielder can't get low enough and lets it through. The deep third fielder gets around and tidies up. Two taken.

Keeps it in that channel on off, on a length. Peake shoulders arms.

Brings the line closer to the off stump and once again, Evans delivers it from wide of the crease. This is not all that short and Oliver tries to punch it away but is beaten past the outside edge.

Evans goes wide on the crease and pitches it up, outside off. Peake leaves it alone.

Dropped short, turning away a bit, outside off. Peake slaps it to deep point and gets off the mark with a single.

Oliver Peake walks out next.

OUT! CASTLED! First in the field, and now Wessly Madhevere makes an impact with the ball. This is pushed through by Madhevere, on a nagging length, on middle from around the wicket. Renshaw hangs back and tries to play it too square on the leg side with a closed bat face. The ball comes in with the arm to go past the inside edge. It sneaks through the gate between the bat and the pad to crash into the stumps. Australia are now 176/5, needing 96 runs from 127 balls.

Nicely slowed down, on a length, on off. Renshaw lunges for the block.

Pushed through, on a good length, on off. Inglis leans inside the line and gets low to lap it down to deep fine leg for a single.

Full and around off. Inglis gets his hands through the line of the ball and reverse sweeps it to the left of deep point for a brace.

Flighted up, on off. Matt reaches across and plays the reverse to deep backward point for one.

Wessly Madhevere to continue from this end.

Bye! On a good length, near the tramline. Renshaw shoulders arms. The ball keeps low and goes on the bounce to Brendan Taylor, who can't make a clean stop. It clips his gloves and rolls behind, allowing the batters to pick up a bye. Australia need 100 more runs.

Evans hits the top of off. Inglis waits back and guides it down to deep third for a single.

Uppish but safe. Wider on off, on the fuller side. Renshaw pushes away from his body and the ball holds up in the surface. Chips it uppishly but away from the reach of the cover fielder. The batters cross as the ball goes wide of mid off.

On a back of a length, on middle. Josh nurdles it behind square leg and rotates the strike.

Closer to the off pole, on a good length. Renshaw is squared up in defence. It goes down to deep third off the outer half and the batters pick up a single.

Full and angled away. Renshaw makes the leave.

A bit short, on middle and leg. Inglis nudges it to mid-wicket.

At the sticks, on a nagging length. Inglis pushes it to the right of the bowler.

THREE WIDES! Madhevere tries to fire it in but he sprays it down leg. Inglis looks to use the pace and paddle it fine but fails to make any connection. The ball slows down in the outfield, and it is cut off by the deep fine leg fielder, with the batters running two.

Fractionally short, on middle. Josh keeps it out on the leg side.

Sliding on with the arm, shorter and on middle. Renshaw tucks it wide of mid-wicket and hurries to the other end.

Floated up, on off, a bit of turn. Matt knocks it to cover.

Short and around leg. Inglis works it with the spin behind square leg for a single.

On off, on a back of a length, stabbed down on the off side by Renshaw.

Zimbabwe needed that to uplift their spirits. Matt Renshaw walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Is that a bird? Is that a plane? My word, what a Superman effort by Wessly Madhevere. Evans goes wide on the crease and serves it on a length, outside off. Carey leans across and pushes out in front of his body with hard hands for the drive. Gets a thickish outside edge that flies wide of backward point. Madhevere flings himself to his left and takes a blinder while being parallel to the ground. End of an 85-run stand. Australia are 162/4, needing 110 runs from 145 balls.

Bowled on a good length, on middle and leg. Inglis picks the slower one and waits for the ball to arrive. Flicks it square on the leg side and rotates the strike.

Full and around off. Carey strokes it to deep cover for a single.

Wide! A bumper by Evans but this is too high, on off. Carey lets it pass. Wide given for height.

FOUR! Good shot! Evans digs it in short, on off. Carey stands tall on top of the bounce and drags the pull past the man at mid-wicket. A long chase for the sub fielder, Ryan Burl, who sprints to his right and dives but his effort goes in vain.

Nearly a wicket off the first ball on return for Evans! Begins with an off-pace delivery at 120 kph, full and on middle. Inglis pushes out in front of his body but the ball stops on him. Chips it wide of mid on and it does not carry to the fielder. They cross.

Brad Evans returns to the attack.

Full and fast, on middle, Josh flicks it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single.

FOUR! An innovative way to get a boundary. Slower through the air by Wessly, on a length, on off. Inglis reaches across and goes hard on the reverse. Gets his hands through the line of the ball and plays it well to the left of the man at deep point for a boundary. Australia go past 150.

From around the wicket, too full and too straight as well. Carey attempts the sweep. Gets a bit of glove on it before the ball pings him on the pads. It dribbles away on the leg side and the batters cross.

On the pads, Josh steps out and wrists it wide of mid-wicket for a run.

Slows it down and gets a bit of turn, on a nagging length, on leg. Josh tucks it to square leg.

A bit short, on middle. Inglis whips it to mid-wicket.

Flat and short, on middle. Inglis punches it to long on for a run. 9 runs off the over. 125 needed off 156.

On a good length, on off. Josh turns it to square leg off the front foot.

FOUR! Good use of the feet. Tossed up, on off. Inglis shimmies down the track and shuffles across as well. He drills it back past the bowler and the mid off fielder stands no chance.

At 93 kph, full and on off. Inglis advances and knocks it to cover.

On the shorter side, on off. Josh taps it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Cheeky! Fires in a full ball, on off and middle. Inglis uses the pace offered by Raza. Brings out the reverse and paddles it fine of Blessing Muzarabani at short third for a boundary.

Not all that short, on middle and leg. Inglis uses the depth of the crease to work it with the spin past the diving square leg fielder. Single taken.

Flighted up, on off. Carey leans on and pushes it to long off for one more run.

Stays short, on middle and leg. Josh whips it through the gap between mid-wicket and square leg for a run.

Short and spinning back in at the pads. Inglis nudges it to square leg.

On a good length, slower through the air, on off. Inglis plays the reverse towards short third.

A bit short, on middle. Inglis whips it with the turn to mid-wicket.

Quicker through the air, shorter as well, on middle. Josh taps it down the ground with a straight bat towards long on for one. 137 runs needed in 168 balls.

Dropped short, on off, punched wide of cover for another single.

Pushed through, more on the fuller side, outside off. Inglis lets the ball come on and opens the bat face at the last moment to steer it fine of Blessing Muzarabani at short third. The tall man gives chase and hauls it in just before the boundary cushions. Three runs taken.

At 84 kph, on a good length, around off. Inglis turns it to square leg.

Tighter line, not all that short, around off. Josh looks to punch it away but chops it down on the pitch.

Short and spinning away, Inglis rocks back and spanks it hard towards cover, where Brad Evans dives to his left and saves a certain boundary.

Angled in at the pads, on a good length. Alex tucks it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run by the time Brian Bennett can mop it up in the deep.

FOUR! Nicely played! Banged in short, on off. Carey hops and gets his hands high. He is airborne as he plays the pull over mid-wicket. Brian Bennett covers a lot of ground to his right and dives, but in vain. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Digs it in short, on middle and leg. Inglis rolls his wrists over the ball and controls the pull down to deep fine leg for one more.

From around the wicket, on a back of a length, on off. Carey punches it to deep cover and crosses over.

Pace off now, on a length. Inglis runs it down to deep third for a single.

Angled in on a good length, on off. Inglis tucks it to mid-wicket.

Raza comes around the stumps and bowls it full and on off, Alex Carey defends this on off.

Fuller around the pads, Alex Carey tucks this to square leg for no run.

Floated on off, Alex Carey punches this to mid off for a dot.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Josh Inglis tickles this through square leg for a single.

Another chance missed! Darted on off, Josh cuts this to deep point and takes a couple of runs. This is referred upstairs for a run-out check. Replay shows that Brendan Taylor fails to gather the ball and Josh makes his ground.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR JOSH! 7th in ODI cricket for Josh Inglis. Pushed through around off, Josh Inglis throws his bat at it. Gets it edged off the outside and the ball races past the right of backward point for four runs.

Full and on the pads, Alex flicks this wide of deep mid-wicket for two runs.

Good length, around off, Alex Carey defends it out.

DROPPED! An excellent effort by Wessly Madhevere at point but the ball lands on the ground and Josh Inglis gets a lifeline. Short and wayward outside off by Ernest Masuku. Josh Inglis chases this and hits it just behind point. Wessly Madhevere moves to his right, backtracks and leaps to try and catch it. The ball hits his right wrist and drops on the ground.

Full and on the pads, Alex Carey works this through the square leg region for a single.

Short and around off, Josh Inglis gets up on his toes and guides this to the third man region for one run.

FOUR! Pitched-up delivery, on middle and off, Josh Inglis punches this down the ground. Ernest Masuku gets his right hand behind the ball, but the ball brushes his fingertips and races to the long on region for a boundary.

Ernest Masuku comes back, replacing Blessing Muzarabani.

Quicker one, on the pads, Josh Inglis milks this to the left of the short fine leg fielder for one run.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Alex Carey hits this to deep point for a single.

Darted on off, Alex Carey defends this out.

Fired on the pads, Josh Inglis tickles this through square leg for one.

Pushed through on off, Josh Inglis gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

Short of a length, on middle and off, Josh punches this to mid on.

DRINKS BREAK!  Australia may have lost 3 wickets, but they have scored at a good clip right from the start. Zimbabwe just have not managed to put it together with the ball for long periods. There was a phase earlier in the game when Cooper Connolly faced 15 dots in a row, but the home side has not managed to build that kind of pressure consistently. Given Australia's batting depth, Zimbabwe need to keep chipping away at the wickets. Sikandar Raza is yet to bring himself on, but it does not seem too long before he does and tries to see what he can make out of this used surface. And there you go, here's the Zimbabwean skipper after the break.

Pushed through around off, Alex Carey hits this around the right of the bowler for no run.

FOUR! 100 comes up for the Aussies. Flighted, around off, Alex Carey prods onto his front foot and chips this over extra cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Carey plays this stroke way too well. Tossed up, around off, Alex Carey brings out the reverse sweep and hits this in the gap through the right of backward point for four runs.

Quicker one, on the pads, Alex Carey goes for the flick on the swivel but edges this back onto his pads.

Fired onto the pads, Josh Inglis tucks this to deep mid-wicket for one run.

Fuller on the pads, Josh Inglis milks this through the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

Short and around off, Alex Carey sits under it.

Good length, on middle and leg, Alex Carey tucks this to mid-wicket.

Blessing bowls it on a length, around the pads, Josh works this through square leg for a single.

Good length, on middle and off, Josh Inglis gets onto his back foot and blocks this one.

Wide! Short and wide of off, Josh Inglis sits underneath it. Too high for the umpire's liking.

On a length, around the pads, Josh Inglis flicks this to the left of deep mid-wicket and picks up a couple.

Short and on middle and off, Josh Inglis hops inside the crease, up on his toes and keeps it out.

Fuller around off, Alex Carey keeps it out.

Floated on middle and leg, Josh Inglis looks to defend but gets it through the square leg region off his inside edge for a single.

Quicker one, on the pads, Josh rocks onto his back foot and works this to mid-wicket for no run.

Flighted, around off, Alex Carey pushes this down the ground to long off for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Alex Carey brings out the reverse sweep and hits this to short third.

FOUR! Beautifully played in the gap for four. Fuller around off, Alex Carey presses onto his front foot and gets right on top of the bounce. Drives this to the right of mid off for a four.

Bouncer, on leg, Alex Carey fends it awkwardly around square leg for a single.

Short and on off, Josh Inglis gets up on his toes and guides this to the third man region for one run.

Good length, on top of off, Josh Inglis defends this underneath his eyeline.

Pitched-up delivery, around off, Josh Inglis punches this in the air but just short of mid off for no run.

Short and around off, Alex Carey punches this around the off side for a single.

Short and on off, Josh Inglis pulls this through backward square leg for a single.

Fuller on off, Alex Carey presses onto his front foot and blocks this out.

One left-hander replaces the other. Here's Alex Carey.

OUT! CASTLED! On his return for the first time since 2018, Graeme Cremer removes Cooper Connolly in his very first over. Flighted, around off, spinning back into the batter. Cooper Connolly looks to play towards the off side but gets beaten on the inside and the ball goes on to clip the top of off. The bail is dislodged, and Australia lose their 3rd wicket.

Quicker one, around off, Cooper Connolly blocks this around the off side.

Flighted, around off, Cooper Connolly drives this to extra cover.

Short of a length, around off, Josh Inglis punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Starts with a juicy full toss that has been smashed away to the fence to bring up the 50-run partnership between these two. Full toss, on off, Josh Inglis hits this in the gap between short mid-wicket and mid on for four runs.

Time for spin as the leggie Graeme Cremer comes into the attack. Cremer is playing his first ODI since 2018.

A tad on the shorter side again, Cooper Connolly leaves it.

Halt! The physio is out for the concussion check. Cooper Connolly has a smile on his face, which is good to see.

OUCH! Now that's a venomous bouncer and it has caught Cooper Connolly on the helmet. Bouncer on middle and leg, Connolly jumps up in the air to fend it around the leg side but misses and gets hit around his right ear on the side of the helmet. The team physio will rush out in the middle for a mandatory concussion check.

Blessing Muzarabani bowls it around that 6-8 m length, on off, shaping it away from the batter. Cooper Connolly looks to keep it out but gets beaten.

Back of a length, on off, Cooper Connolly punches this to extra cover.

FOUR! That's been helped away to the fence for four runs. Short and around leg, Cooper Connolly gets inside the line of the ball and helps this towards the long leg fence for a boundary.

Short and on off, Josh Inglis gets up on his toes and punches this to the sweeper cover fielder for one run.

Blessing Muzarabani is back with a change of ends.

FOUR! This has been cut away viciously for four runs. Back of a length, around off, Cooper Connolly waits onto his back foot and cuts this square on off for a boundary towards the right of the point fielder.

Good length, around off, Cooper Connolly keeps it out.

Good length, on off, Josh gets up on his toes and punches this with a straight bat towards deep point for one run.

On a length, around the pads, Cooper Connolly this time manages to flick it towards fine leg for a run.

Back of a length, around off, Cooper Connolly punches this to extra cover for no run.

FOUR LEG BYES! Good length, onto the pads, Cooper Connolly goes for a flick but misses any sort of connection with the bat. The ball brushes the side of his thigh pad and races to the fine leg region for four leg byes.

POWERPLAY 2! The fielding side will now be allowed 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over from here. At the same stage, Zimbabwe were 56/2.

'Two' is the call, and they get it. Another ball angled in at the hips. Inglis works it to the right of the man at deep square leg and comes back for the second run. At the end of 10 overs, Australia are 57/2, needing 215 runs from 240 balls.

The length is pulled back, around the hips. Inglis pivots for the pull but the ball grazes the thigh pad before going on the bounce to the keeper.

Stays full and gets the ball to move away in the air. Inglis gets a good stride in and plays a punchy drive to cover.

Pushes the length up, on off. Inglis lunges to keep it out with a straight bat.

Moving away a bit off the seam, on the shorter side, outside off. Josh punches it with a high elbow to cover.

At 125 kph, too straight at the hips. Inglis helps it to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Short and wide on off, Inglis cuts it late and it goes down to deep third for one more run.

On a back of a length, on middle. Cooper knocks it with a straight bat to the right of mid on for a quick single.

Fractionally short, across off. Connolly chops it down on the off side.

A run saved! Ernest Masuku goes wide on the crease and angles it on a length, around off. Inglis leans across and threads the drive through covers. Brian Bennett gives a long chase and dives to flick the ball behind towards Sikandar Raza. Three runs taken and with that, Australia go past 50.

Pace off at 121 kph, fuller and on leg. Cooper works it to the left of mid on and picks up a single.

Starts on a length, on off. Connolly shapes up to force the drive through the off side but miscues it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Ernest Masuku now comes into the attack.

Fuller now, on middle, Inglish pushes it to mid on.

FOUR! Not from the middle, but the outfield does the job. This is on a back of a length, on off. Inglis punches it from the crease towards Brian Bennett at a catching cover. Bennett moves to his right, but the ball sneaks under his hands. Ben Curran gives chase but the ball wins the race.

The length is pulled back now, on middle and leg. Josh tucks it to mid-wicket.

Attacking the front pad, full in length. Inglis drives it with a straight bat to mid on.

A hint of inward shape, on a good length, on off. Connolly knocks it wide of cover and turns the strike over.

Full and on middle. Inglis pushes it in front of mid on and hurries to the other end.

At the same stage, Zimbabwe were 40 for 1.

Fine effort! On a good length, on off. Connolly firms the drive on the up towards cover, where Ryan Burl makes a low stop.

Goes past the bat! The length is pushed up, angled across the left-hander. Connolly does not move his feet at all and throws his hands at the ball. He is lucky not to nick it behind.

Angled in before nipping away off the seam, on a back of a length. Inglis is squared up in defence. It goes off the outer half down to deep third. They cross.

Tighter line, on off, on a back of a length. Josh lets it be.

FOUR! No need to run for that. Blessing Muzarabani errs in both line and length. Short and wide on off, Inglis reaches out with his hands and stands tall to his toes to spank it over the backward point fielder for a four.

Drifts onto the pads, on a length. Inglis nudges it behind square leg. Brad Evans sprints to his left in the deep and nearly overruns the ball. He seems to lose his footing but manages to stay on his feet, but cannot prevent the batters from taking the second run.

FOUR! Connolly finally gets one away to release some pressure. Across off, on a good length. Cooper extends his hands into the drive and plays it on the up. Hits it to the left of the cover fielder and picks up a boundary, snapping the streak of 15 dots in a row.

Banged in short, over middle. Connolly lets it pass.

Connolly will feel that he missed out there. 14th consecutive dot ball for the young man. Evans angles it across off, on a length. The width is there for Cooper to cash in but he loses his shape and miscues it off the inner half back to the bowler.

Slightly fuller, on off. Connolly drives it on the up but straight to mid off.

12 dots in a row for Connolly. On a good length, on middle, Cooper checks his shot as he plays it to mid-wicket.

Full and on off. Inglis gets a good stride in and angles the drive wide of cover. Brian Bennett moves to his right and dives to prevent the ball from going past him. He parries it towards the fielder to his right and saves at least a couple of runs for his side. Just a single.

A maiden by Blessing Muzarabani, more like it from the tall man. Digs it in on a hard length, on off. Connolly knocks it with a straight bat to mid off.

Over the off pole, on a back of a length. Connolly steers it to point from the crease.

Sticks to the tight line, on a hard length, on middle. Cooper hops and dabs it to point.

Better line by Muzarabani, on middle, on a back of a length. Cooper stabs it down the deck.

Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Connolly hammers it off the back foot but can't get it past the cover fielder.

Angled away, on a back of a length. Connolly taps it to cover from the crease.

Nice and tight, on a back of a length, Inglis stands tall to defend.

Pushes the length up, on off. Inglis gets forward to block it out.

On a short of a length, Inglis punches it firmly but picks out the cover fielder.

Dishes it out on a hard length, on off. Josh hangs back to keep it out.

FOUR! Josh Inglis is up and running! Evans bangs it in short, too straight, around leg. Inglis pivots on the back foot, and even though the ball gets a bit big on him, he manages to get it away fine of the sliding deep fine leg fielder.

Josh Inglis walks in at 4. The Aussies are in a spot of bother here.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Both openers back in the hut inside 4 overs and this is just the start Zimbabwe were after. A back-of-a-length delivery. Marsh gets on his toes to punch it away but the ball nips back ever so slightly to graze the inside edge. Due to the slow nature of the surface, the ball just about carries to the keeper, Brendan Taylor, who hangs low and takes the catch around the shoelaces of his left boot. Australia are now 2 down for 25.

Serves it short, on off. Connolly gets up on his toes, looking to force it through the off side but mistimes it to cover.

Across off, on a short of a good length. Cooper taps it to cover-point.

Digs it in short and keeps it at the batter. Cooper fends it down on the leg side.

Bashes the hard length, on off. Cooper rises with the bounce and guides it to backward point.

Angled away, on a good length. Connolly makes the leave.

FOUR! That has rocketed to the fence. Width offered by Muzarabani, not all that short. Connolly stands tall and gets his hands through the line of the ball to slap it on the up through covers for his first boundary.

Nearly dragged it back onto the stumps! Across off, on a length. Connolly pushes away from his body and ekes out an inside edge. It sneaks past the stumps and dribbles behind square leg for a single.

A loud shout for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head. That may well have pitched outside leg and seemed to be swinging down leg as well. Moving back into the left-hander, on a good length, on middle and leg. Cooper Connolly's head falls over to the off side on the attempted flick, and he is beaten on the flick on the inside edge to be rapped on the pads.

Cooper Connolly is in at 3 for the Aussies.

OUT! CAUGHT! Travis Head holes out. This is on a length, on middle. Head shuffles across a bit and has no intention of keeping it on the ground as he plays the pick-up shot. Ryan Burl, on as a sub for Innocent Kaia, moves to his left at deep square leg and stays side-on to take the catch a few yards in off the ropes. The crowd erupts as the dangerous Head is sent packing. Australia are 20/1, chasing 272.

FOUR! Put away with disdain! Evans goes into the wicket, but this just sits up to be hit, on off. Head rises on his toes and spanks the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Around off, on a nagging length. Travis defends it from the crease.

Wide. Swinging down leg, on the fuller side. Head tries to play the pick-up shot but misses.

Beats the bat straight away! Seaming away, on a good length. Head presents a straight bat for the block but is squared up due to the seam movement and is beaten past the outside edge.

Brad Evans will be partnering with Blessing Muzarabani from the other end.

Angled across off, on a back of a length. Head uses the angle as he plays the late dab down to deep third for one. A bright start to the chase for Australia, 15 runs off the first over.

Fuller now on the off stump. Marsh presses forward and eases it wide of cover for a single.

Much better! On a good length, honing in on the off stump. Marsh keeps it out from the crease.

SIX! Up, up and away! Muzarabani drifts on the pads with a full ball. Marsh picks it up beautifully off the pads. There is a man on the fence at deep backward square leg, but the Aussie skipper clears him comfortably.

FIVE WIDES! Wayward by Muzarabani. Sprayed down leg, on a good length. Marsh fails to lay any bat on the glance. The keeper, Brendan Taylor, dives to his left but stands no chance as the ball keeps going further away.

Too straight at the hips, on a back of a length. Head hops and nudges it behind square leg for a run to open his account.

Marsh and Australia are underway! Muzarabani slips in a full ball, angled in at the pads. Mitchell flicks it to deep fine leg for a single to get off the mark.

A couple of runs to end the innings. Zimbabwe finish on 271/8. This is very full, on middle and leg. Raza hurriedly gets his bat down and jams it out behind square leg. The fielder in the deep is quick to the ball but cannot prevent the batters from coming back for the second run.

OUT! ERNEST MASUKU IS RUN OUT! Xavier Bartlett produces the direct hit. Spears in the yorker, angled in at the toes. Raza looks to dig it out, but the ball goes through his legs. As the ball goes behind towards the keeper, Ernest tries to sneak in a bye. He is nearly halfway before being sent back. Inglis lobs the ball towards Bartlett, who gathers it cleanly and turns around to hit the stumps at the bowling end with Masuku short of his ground. Blessing Muzarabani walks out to bat.

FOUR! Gets it away. Into the wicket and it is the slower one, Raza walks across to the off side and sets himself up for the scoop. He does not have much pace to work with but manages to scoop it to the left of the keeper for a boundary.

Nice change-up! Takes pace off, does Bartlett and the length is pulled back, on middle. Sikandar Raza has a big heave across the line but can only connect with thin air.

Superb execution! Gets the yorker spot on, at the toes. Raza clears the front leg and tries to jam it out but is beaten on the inside edge and the ball goes through his legs.

Wide! Off-pace short ball, around off. Raza hops to play the uppercut but misses. Wide given for height, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Bowled very full, tailing in towards the leg stump. Raza can't do much about it and jams it out back to the bowler.

Angled in on a good length, on middle. Raza tucks it through mid-wicket and takes a single to retain the strike. 12 runs off the over.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Ellis takes pace off and delivers it full, outside off. Raza waits for the ball to arrive and holds his shape as he launches it over extra cover. One hand comes off the bat handle but he manages to get it in the vacant deep extra cover region for a four.

Wide. Raza shimmies towards the leg side and Ellis responds by pushing it wider but ends up drifting beyond the guideline.

Tight single. It is the back-of-the-hand slower one, fuller and on off. Masuku keeps it out close to his body. The ball drops at his feet, and he is called through for a quick single by Raza. Ellis swoops in and has an underarm shy at the batting end but misses. It would not have mattered anyway, as Raza was in by then.

At 132 kph, outside off, on a length. Raza swings a bit too hard and loses his shape. Miscues it off the inner half to long on for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Not the best of balls by Ellis. A length ball with mid off up inside the circle. Raza clears the front leg and swings through the line, pumping it over mid off for a boundary.

Slips in the wide yorker. Raza lets it go but the ball sneaks inside the tramline.

On a back of a length, on middle. Raza nurdles it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single. 9 runs off the over without taking any risk.

Excellent hustle between the wickets. Full and on the pads, Raza brings his bat out in front and taps it with soft hands to the right of long on. He pushes Masuku through for the second, and they make it before the throw arrives. Zimbabwe go past 250.

Tailing in at the toes, on the fuller side. Masuku is beaten on the flick and wears it on the pads. A stifled appeal for LBW, but it is turned down. The batters sneak in a leg bye as the ball rolls on the off side.

Off-cutter, on a back of a length, on middle. Raza pulls it hard to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

Good running! Very full, angled in at the toes. Raza watchfully tucks it into the vacant mid-wicket region and comes charging back for the second run. Raza moves to 61, this is now the highest score by a Zimbabwean batter in this series.

Pace off and bowled into the wicket by Bartlett, on off. Raza charges down the track and hops to smash it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Flat and short, on off. Masuku chops it down to backward point.

Wide! Another googly that sneaks down leg, on the shorter side. Masuku rocks back but fails to connect on the pull.

Wide. Down leg, dragged down leg. Masuku swivels but misses out on the pull. Half a shout for caught behind by Josh Inglis but it has been given as a wide.

Shorter and on off, Raza punches it wide of extra cover for a single.

FOUR! Untidy in the field! Drifting in fuller and on middle and leg. Raza charges down the track and ends up getting too close to the ball. Mishits it off the inner half down to long on, where Xavier Bartlett moves forward but is late to get his hands down to make the stop. He lets it through his legs and concedes a boundary.

Turning away a bit, on a good length, on off. Raza stays leg side to force it away but ends up chopping it down on the off side.

Flighted up, on off. Masuku drives it to deep cover and crosses over.

A polite enquiry for LBW! Skidding through, short and on off, Raza hurriedly gets his bat down and taps it wide of extra cover. Zampa though that the ball may have grazed the front pad before hitting the bat but the replays show that the ball was away from the pad.

Johnson tries the yorker, around off. Masuku goes hard on the drive but the ball sneaks under the blade and whistles past the off pole.

Into the wicket, on off. Raza is not in control of the pull but it lands safely in front of deep mid-wicket. They cross.

At 130 kph, sprayed on the pads, on a length. Masuku tucks it to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

Hits the top of the off pole, does Johnson. Masuku keeps it out.

On a shortish length, on off. Ernest Masuku arches back to play the upper but fails to connect.

FIFTY FOR RAZA! This has been a captain's knock, and he needs to bat through here for Zimbabwe, but he will need support from the other end. Angled in on a back of a good length, on middle. Sikandar hops and shovels it square on the leg side for a single.

Full toss, on off, Ernest Masuku punches this to mid off for no run.

Ernest Masuku walks out to the middle. Still no word on Innocent Kaia on whether he'd be able to return

OUT! LBW! Yorker, pace on, around middle and off, Graeme Cremer leans inside the line of the ball as he looks to flick it away but is surprised by the pace on delivery from Ellis. The ball hits his left shoe before going on to hit his bat. A gentle appeal for LBW, and the umpire raises his finger. From 209/3, Zimbabwe have slipped to 231/7.

Bouncer, on off, Sikandar Raza hooks this to fine leg for one run.

Back of a length, on off, Sikandar Raza gets up on his toes and punches this through covers for two runs here. Graeme Cremer was keen on the third, but it was never on.

Another brilliant slower one, around off, Graeme Cremer chips this just behind the bowler for a single.

Slower one, back of a length, around off, Sikandar Raza dabs this around point for a single.

Nathan Ellis returns to the attack. 8-0-33-2 so far for Ellis.

Short and on off, Graeme Cremer pulls this flat but on the bounce to mid on for another dot.

Back of a length, around off, Graeme Cremer flicks this straight to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Another wicket falls. 209/3 has become 226/6. Graeme Cremer walks out to bat. The leggie played his last ODI all the way back in 2018.

OUT! CAUGHT! Spencer gets his man. Bouncer, around off, Brad Evans backs away a shade and goes for the pull. The ball brushes the top edge, and the keeper, Josh Inglis, gathers it well behind the stumps with a leap to send Evans packing.

FOUR! Slower one, back of a length, on off, Brad Evans stands deep inside his crease and flat bats this past the right of the mid off fielder for four more runs.

FOUR! Pulled away handsomely in the gap for four runs. Short and around off, Brad Evans gets behind the line of the ball and pulls this through the mid-wicket region for a boundary here.

Spencer comes around the stumps, bowls it on a length, around off, Brad Evans gets a leading edge that drops to the left of the bowler.

Spencer Johnson (8-1-39-1) has been brought back.

Quicker through the air, around off, and flatter too. Sikandar Raza looks to cut this off his back foot but misses out.

LEG BYE! Full and wide down the leg side, Brad Evans attempts the sweep but gets it clipped off his pads to the fine leg region for a leg bye.

Floated on off, Brad Evans whips it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Wrong'un, going down the leg, Brad Evans gets pushed onto the back foot, and he looks to tuck it away and misses. Gets hit on his pads, but the umpire turns down the LBW appeal.

Way too full, around off, Brad Evans ends up jamming it out.

Fuller around off, Brad Evans keeps it out.

Adam Zampa will continue...

Ellis bowls it around that 6-8 m length, on off, Sikandar Raza gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out around silly mid on.

Back of a length, around off, Sikandar Raza punches this through covers for two runs.

Back of the hand, around off, Brad Evans guides this past the left of backward point for a single.

Short one, pace on, around off, Brad Evans goes for a pull but fails to connect. Cries for a caught behind, but the umpire turns it down.

A couple of quick wickets for Australia. Brad Evans comes out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Variation does the trick here. Back of the hand slower one, on a length, around off, Wessly Madhevere prods onto his front foot and has a punch at the ball. The ball bounces a touch more than Wessly Madhevere expected, and he ends up chipping it straight back into the hands of Matt Renshaw at short cover. Zimbabwe are now 212/5. They could be effectively 6 down here, given Innocent Kaia's hamstring issue.

Yorker, around off, Sikandar Raza gets bat on ball and guides this to deep third for a run.

Too full, on off, Sikandar Raza thumps this down to long on for a single.

Wrong'un around off, Wessly Madhevere rocks onto his back foot and punches this through mid on for a single.

End of a 61-run stand. Wessly Madhevere is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! A regulation catch for Matt Renshaw and Craig Ervine departs just as the time arrives to launch. Fuller around off, Craig Ervine jumps down the track and looks to take on the long on fielder. Hits this off the bottom of his bat towards the fielder at long on. Matt Renshaw makes no mistake in front of the fence and holds onto it.

Flighted, around off, Sikandar Raza backs away a shade and drives this to the deep cover region for a brace.

Short of a length, on middle and off, Sikandar Raza rocks back and pulls this wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a couple of runs.

Flipper on off, Sikandar Raza defends it out.

POWERPLAY 3! The fielding side will now be allowed 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings.

Another off-pace delivery, on off, on a back of a length. Raza punches it to deep cover and keeps the strike with a single. 11 runs off the over, 20 off the last 2.

Just outside off, on a good length. Raza waits back and glides it behind point with an open bat face. Travis Head is slow to get to the ball and that allows the batters to complete the second run with ease.

Pace off, on a short of a length, punched to cover.

FOUR! In complete control this time. On a short of a good length, on off. Sikandar stays side-on and flat bats it between cover and mid off. The ball skips across the turf and Mitchell Marsh stands no chance. The 200 is up for Zimbabwe.

FOUR! Not in control, but they all count. A well-directed short ball at the left shoulder of the batter. Raza is rushed and cannot get duck under the ball in time. He makes an attempt to pull it away but the ball gets big on him and catches the top edge before racing down to the deep fine leg fence. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Around off, on a length. Raza pushes it to cover.

Nathan Ellis comes back on.

Low full toss, speared in at the toes, Sikandar helps it down to deep fine leg for one run.

Good-length delivery, on middle, kept out with a straight bat.

Pace off now, on a short of a length. Raza swivels and pulls it wide of deep square leg for a brace.

At the sticks, full in length. Raza stabs it down.

Angled in at the hips, Raza glances it fine of the deep fine leg fielder for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Welcomed with a boundary. Pitched up by Bartlett, on middle. Raza uses his feet and takes the ball on the full. He presents the full face of the blade. Drives it wide of the man at mid on to his left for a boundary. With this boundary, Raza now has the most runs in ODIs played at the Harare Sports Club.

Fractionally short and a hint of width. Raza slaps it away towards the cover fielder. The ball bounces awkwardly for Oliver Peake, who can only make a half-stop. He recovers well and goes after the ball, keeping the batters down to a single.

Back to bowling it short, sneaking inside the tramline. Raza offers no shot.

Good change-up by Johnson. Pushes the length up and takes pace off as well, outside off. Raza is sucked into the drive but is beaten past the outside edge.

Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Raza is early into the slap and mistimes it to cover.

Wide! Johson dishes out the bumper but this is too high, on off and middle. Raza ducks.

A huge appeal for caught behind, but not given. Josh Inglis seems to have heard a noise and Mitchell Marsh takes the review. Banged into the deck, on middle and leg. Raza hops inside the line and gets his hands high to tickle it fine but misses before Josh Inglis gathers it after moving to his left. The UltraEdge comes up with a flat line, confirming no involvement of the bat or the glove. The on-field decision stands. Australia now have no reviews left.

Wide. Switches to around the wicket for the right-hander. This is sprayed down leg, on a back of a length. Raza lets it pass.

Johnson digs it in short, on off. Craig swivels for the pull but he is early into the shot. Toe-ends it wide of cover and the batters pick up a single.

On middle and leg. Ervine takes the ball on the full and plays the reverse lap. The short third fielder slides to his right and makes the stop. Just a single.

Attacking the front pad, on a length. Sikandar brings his bat out in front and eases it to wide long on for a run.

Stays on the fuller side, on off. Ervine makes room and hits it down to long off for a single.

Looped up now, on middle. Ervine charges down the track and digs it out back to the bowler.

Drags the length back, on off. Ervine is early to come down the track but adjusts and stabs it down.

FOUR! Nicely done. Zampa offers flight, on middle, the ball is a bit too full for the sweep but Ervine goes for it. He plays it to the right of the square leg fielder inside the ring and the fielder in the deep stands no chance.

Pushes the length up, on middle. Ervine flicks it wide of deep square leg for another single.

Bashes the deck hard, on off. Raza hops and punches it to deep cover for one more run.

A bit too straight at the hips, on a back of a length. Ervine pivots and helps the pull down to deep fine leg. They cross.

Very full, at the toes. Ervine jams it out to mid-wicket.

Slanting into the left-hander, on a nagging length. Craig tucks it to mid-wicket.

From around the wicket, angled in on a length, on off. Raza dabs it to the right of point and takes a single.

Missed out! A friendly full toss, on the pads, whipped straight to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, on off. Raza makes room and drills it wide of extra cover, where the fielder slides to his left and takes the sting out of the shot. Just a single.

FIFTY FOR ERVINE! 2nd half-century of the series for the veteran left-hander, but he will know that the job is far from being done, and he needs to carry on. Short and across off, Craig punches it to long off for a single.

Looped up, on middle. Ervine flicks it to backward square leg.

Good work in the field! Too straight, full and on the pads. Ervine tickles it away down to deep fine leg. Travis Head covers a lot of ground to his left and slides to prevent the boundary. Two runs taken.

Nice and tight, on a good length, on middle. Ervine lunges and nudges it to square leg.

Full and on off. Ervine knocks it to long off and retains the strike with a single.

Flighted up, on off. Sikandar powers it to long off and picks up a single.

Around off, a bit slower, Ervine sweeps this full ball fine towards long leg for a single.

Stays full, on middle. Craig blocks by keeping the bat close to the front pad.

Bowled by going wide on the crease, full and drifting in, on middle. Ervine leans forward to defend.

Dropped short, on off. Raza pushes it wide of extra cover and gets to the other end.

Very full, on middle and leg, driven down to long on for a single.

SIX! Put away with disdain! A rare loose ball by Zampa. A half-tracker, around off. Raza takes full toll as he nails the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Drags the length back and it is slowed down, Raza takes half a step across the stumps and defends it out.

On middle and leg, on a length. Ervine flicks it behind square leg and rotates the strike.

Offers flight, full and on off. Sikandar eases it to long off and crosses over.

Short and turning into the pads, Ervine helps it down to deep fine leg for a single.

DRINKS! The break arrives with Zimbabwe facing a sudden setback after Innocent Kaia was forced to retire hurt, disrupting a promising and fluent partnership with Craig Ervine. Following Kaia retiring hurt, Australia has seized control of the momentum, clamping down with a string of dot balls on a challenging, dry surface that is already offering significant turn for the spin department. This turning track sets the stage perfectly for Adam Zampa to exploit the conditions and continue his relentless approach to grind down the host nation's batting lineup.

Flatter and shorter, on middle. Raza tucks it to mid-wicket. A maiden by Matt Renshaw.

A loud shout for LBW, but turned down. There seems to be a genuine interest from the Aussies and Mitchell Marsh eventually sends it upstairs. Tossed up by Matt, on a length, on off and middle. Raza lunges across to work it away with an angled bat. The ball spins back in to go past the inside edge, before catching the batter around the box. Flat line on UltraEdge. Ball Tracking has the ball missing the leg stump by a coat of varnish. Australia lose their first review.

Fires in a full ball, on middle. Raza just about manages to get the sweep away towards short fine leg.

Shorter and around leg. Raza walks inside the line for the tickle but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Flighted up, on off. Raza leans across and pushes it back to the bowler.

Looped up, on off. Raza drives it to cover.

Matt Renshaw comes back into the attack.

Bowled on a hard length, on off. Raza hops and gets his hands high. He fends it awkardly towards square leg and scampers through for a single.

Pace off and into the wicket, on middle. Sikandar defends it from the crease.

On a nagging length, just outside the off stump. Ervine drops it with soft hands in front of point and hurries to the other end.

Digs it in short, around off. Ervine lets it pass.

Serves the slower one, on a length, on middle. Craig blocks it out.

Edged, but it drops short! At 133 kph, angled away from the left-hander, on a good length. Ervine pushes out in front and the ball takes the outside edge. It does not carry to Josh Inglis.

Back of a length, on off, Sikandar Raza gets up on his toes and keeps it out.

Short yet again, wide of off, Craig Ervine guides this to the deep third region for one run.

Short again, around off, Craig Ervine leaves it as well.

Short and around off, Craig Ervine arches back and leaves it.

150 comes up for the Chevrons. Good length, on the pads, Sikandar Raza drops it around mid-wicket and takes a run.

Back of a length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Sikandar Raza looks to keep it out off his front foot but gets beaten on his outside edge.

Full and on middle and off, Sikandar Raza knocks this in front of mid on to his left for a single.

Ouch! Innocent Kaia is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Innocent Kaia is retired hurt.

Innocent Kaia will be unable to continue and has decided to walk off. That's unfortunate for Kaia. He was looking good out there, but the hamstring issue has forced him to leave the field. In walks the skipper, Sikandar Raza, who, on his way out, pats Kaia on the back.

Well, well... Innocent Kaia just can not run, and he is walking off retired hurt. Good length, on the pads, Innocent Kaia tucks this to the right of the mid on fielder but decides against taking the run, as he just can not put pressure on that right leg.

Slower one, on a length, around off, Innocent Kaia defends this off his front foot.

Halt! Innocent Kaia seems to be in serious discomfort here. It appears to be an issue with the right hamstring, and he is now being strapped up. Kaia is ready to resume, but how fit is he to carry on with that hamstring issue?

Short and around off, Craig Ervine pats this around silly point and the batters run one. The single is completed comfortably but as Kaia completes the single and looks to stop himself in the follow-through, Kaia pulls up and goes down straightaway in some pain.

Good length, on off, Craig Ervine defends this around point for no run.

Back of a length, around off, Craig Ervine gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

Good length, on the pads, Innocent Kaia helps this to the left of the fielder at fine leg for a couple. Adam Zampa moves well to his left and throws it back inside the playing area. The on-field umpire sends this upstairs to check on the boundary. Replay shows that the trailing foot of Zampa is in contact with the rope, but he has thrown the ball back inside the playing area by the time it happens. Two runs in total.

Bouncer, around off, Innocent Kaia ducks down on this one.

Back of a length, around the pads, Craig Ervine looks for a tuck but misses. The ball clips Craig's thigh pad and rolls behind the stumps for a run. An appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down. Interestingly, this is given as runs.

How has that missed the stumps? On a length, around off, Craig Ervine looks to keep it out, but the ball moves in a bit and beats him on the inside. The ball bounces a touch too much for the bowler's liking and beats the off-pole on height.

Good length, on the pads, Craig Ervine misses out on the flick and gets it tickled back to the keeper on the half-volley.

Good length, on middle and leg, Innocent Kaia gets up on his toes and flicks this through square leg for a rotation of strike.

Xavier Bartlett has been brought back.

Short and around off, Innocent Kaia punches this off his back foot through point for a single.

Back of a length, on the pads, Craig Ervine tucks this to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Pitched-up delivery, around off, Craig Ervine drives this to the extra cover fielder for a dot.

On a length, around off, Innocent Kaia taps it towards the covers region and rotates the strike.

Good length, on the pads, Craig Ervine nudges this through the leg side for one run.

Back of a length, on off, Craig Ervine tucks this wide of deep fine leg for a brace.

Another change as Nathan Ellis (3-0-8-1) comes on.

Pushed through on off, Craig Ervine drives this to long off for one run.

Flighted, around off, Craig Ervine comes down the track and works this to the right of long on. It should have been one, but a misfield allows the batters to run two.

Fuller on off, Craig Ervine defends this off his front foot.

FIFTY FOR KAIA! Short of a length, around off, Innocent Kaia rocks back and cuts this through the point region for one run. 3rd ODI fifty for Kaia, and it has come in 59 balls.

Slider, on off, Innocent Kaia blocks it out.

Quicker one, on the pads, Craig Ervine tickles this to the squre leg region for one.

Matt Renshaw is back.

Flighted up, on middle. Ervine gets forward and drills it to long on for a single.

Short and on off, pushed to cover.

Pushed through on the pads, Innocent Kaia works this to deep point for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Craig Ervine punches this through covers for a run.

Pushed through on the pads, Craig Ervine tucks this to the short fine leg region for a dot.

FOUR! Fuller around middle and off, Craig Ervine brings out the reverse sweep and hits this to the left of the backward point fielder for a boundary.

Cooper Connolly returns to the attack.

Good length, around the pads, Innocent Kaia tickles this to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Good length, on the pads, Innocent Kaia tucks this to mid-wicket.

FOUR! That's been hit in the gap for four runs. Short and around middle and off, Innocent Kaia gets inside the line of the ball and pulls this to the right of the fielder at deep square leg for four runs.

NO BALL! Short and on middle and leg, Craig Ervine pulls this to the fine leg region for a single. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters. The umpire signals that the bowler has overstepped. Free Hit up next.

Back of a length, around middle and off, Craig Ervine keeps it out.

WIDE! On a length, down the leg side. Wided.

Bowls it on a good length, around middle and off, Craig Ervine blocks it to the leg side.

Short one, on the middle and leg pole, Craig Ervine gets inside the line of the ball and leaves it.

Full and around off, Craig Ervine drives this towards sweeper cover for a single.

Floated on off, Craig Ervine keeps it out.

Fired into the batter, on the pads, Innocent Kaia jumps out of his crease again, gets it edged off the inside of his bat for a single to the fine leg region.

Pushed through around off, Innocent Kaia punches this back to the bowler.

FOUR! That's been countered by Kaia for four. Fuller on off, Innocent Kaia shimmies down the track and heaaves this past the left of the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Fuller around off, Innocent Kaia blocks it off his front foot.

Matt Renshaw comes back to replace Adam Zampa.

Bangs it short, on off, Craig Ervine sways away from it.

Keeps it full, on leg, Craig Ervine flicks it to square leg.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. This was connected beautifully. Fullish, on off, Craig Ervine offers the full face of his bat and knocks it firmly down the ground for another boundary.

FOUR! That was unfortunate for Spencer Johnson! This one lands just outside off and nips in a long way. Craig Ervine is cramped for room as he looks to block it. Gets an inside edge as the ball goes through the right of the keeper for a boundary.

Shaping in, on off, Craig Ervine blocks it to point.

Slowish, full and on off, Craig Ervine plays it off the inside half of his bat towards short mid-wicket.

Mitchell Marsh continues to ring in the changes. Pace is back on through Spencer Johnson. A change of ends for Johnson, who has figures of 4-1-14-1 so far.

Flatter and fuller, on middle, Innocent Kaia gets low and sweeps it through square leg. The fielder in the deep dives to his right and makes a good stop. Two runs taken.

A low full toss, on middle, Innocent Kaia eases it back to the bowler.

Quicker, on off, Innocent Kaia stabs it to short cover.

Zampa gives it air this time, on leg, Craig Ervine helps it to fine leg for a single. 100 comes up for Zimbabwe.

Much fuller, on the pads, Craig Ervine fends it to the leg side.

Fired in, on the line of off stump, Craig Ervine flicks it to mid-wicket.

Slightly short, on off. Innocent makes room and rocks back for the cut but it goes on the bounce to the backward point fielder.

Darted in at the pads, on a length. Ervine stays rooted to the crease and works it through backward square leg for one.

Full and speared in on off. Kaia drives it to deep cover and picks up a single.

Drags the length back now, on middle and leg. Ervine nurdles it behind square leg and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Up and over! Loopy ball, full and wide on off. Ervine reaches out in front and extends his hands to slam it over the leaping fielder at wide mid off for a boundary.

Floated up, on off. Kaia presses forward and drives it to wide long off for a single.

Flighted up, on off. Kaia extends his hands into the drive and plays it past cover for one more.

Stays short, on middle and leg. Ervine dabs it wide of point and turns the strike over.

Shorter and around leg, Ervine tucks it to square leg.

Full and sliding on middle, Kaia tucks it wide of mid-wicket and crosses over.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Looped up, on middle, too full. Kaia winds up and smashes it hard back past the bowler. The long on fielder sprints to his left and dives but his effort goes in vain.

Short and on middle, Ervine goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Full and sliding on with the arm, on middle. Ervine pushes it to long on and retains the strike with a single.

STUMPING CHANCE MISSED! Hands on head for Matt Renshaw. Kaia gives the bowler the premeditated charge, and Renshaw spots that. He responds by firing it down leg. Innocent can't get bat to ball and is well out of the crease. Josh Inglis is blindsided by the batter standing in front of him, and he fumbles to gather the ball. It drops to his left and Inglis tries to score a direct hit at his end. He fails to hit the stump. Had the throw hit, Innocent would have been out, as despite his attempt to slide the bat in, he was short of his ground.

Attacking the front pad, full in length. Innocent ekes out an inside edge onto the pads on the block.

FOUR! Gets it away. Renshaw bowls it wide on off, on the fuller side and offers flight as well. Kaia leans across and brings out the reverse, playing it fine of the short third fielder. First boundary since the 10th over for Zimbabwe.

Tosses it up now, on off. Kaia drives it off the front foot to mid off.

Beaten! Flatter and shorter, on off. Innocent has a poke at the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

Looped up, on off. Ervine pushes it down the deck. Matt Renshaw dives to his right but the ball evades him and goes down to long off. They cross.

Stays on the shorter side, on off. Innocent nudges it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Dropped short, on off, that is punched off the back foot, but straight to cover.

Turning back in at the pads, on a length, helped down to deep fine leg for a single.

Zampa gets away with it. A rank long hop, well wide on off. Ervine does not move his feet at all and flashes at the ball but fails to make any connection. Craig loses his balance as Josh Inglis whips the bails off but the batter had his back leg grounded inside the crease.

Serves the googly, full and on middle. Kaia gets his bat out in front and knocks it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, outside off. Kaia leans across to defend.

DRINKS BREAK! It has been a stop-start kind of innings so far for Zimbabwe. Every time they seem to be getting a partnership going, Australia have found a breakthrough. Innocent Kaia has got himself in and will be keen to make his start count. A lot rests on his pair as well as Sikandar Raza before the all-rounders come in, as far as the home side are concerned. Mitchell Marsh has opted to rotate his bowlers, ensuring the batters do not get too comfortable against one particular bowler, and his approach has worked well so far.

Turn and bounce! Turning away, on a good length, outside off. Ervine flashes at the ball but is beaten due to the turn and the bounce takes it over the blade.

Slower and it is a bit of a drag down, wide on off. Ervine can't cash in as he mistimes it to cover.

Very full, on middle. Innocent jams it out to long on for one more.

Slower and on a nagging length, a bit of turn. Craig plays the square drive through point and rotates the strike.

Fired in again, on off. Innocent drills it down to long on and crosses over.

Australia are in the mood to try out every possible bowling option it feels.

Begins from around the wicket, really full, on off. Ervine hits it down to long off for a run.

Just outside the off stump, on a good length. Innocent presents a straight bat to stab it down.

Keeps it full but this is quicker, on middle and leg. Craig wrists it to deep mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.

Full and a bit of air given, Ervine turns it to square leg off the pads.

Craig Ervine is the next batter in.

OUT! CASTLED! Adam Zampa strikes in his first over. Brendan Taylor falls cheaply. This slides through, on a good length, on middle. Taylor hangs back to deal with it and plays for the turn, but the ball skids through to go past the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. Taylor got completely deceived there. Zimbabwe are now 68/3.

Shorter and on off, Kaia punches it to deep cover for another single.

Starts with a flighted delivery, on off. Taylor drives it to deep cover for a run.

Adam Zampa is now brought into the attack.

Around off, on a length. Kaia reaches across to defend but the ball spins back to catch the inner half and it drops on the pitch.

Slower but stays full, on middle. Brendan pushes it to long on and takes a single.

Keeps the stumps in play with a full ball. Innocent pushes it to long on and rotates the strike.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere! Flighted up, outside off. Kaia leans across to smother the spin but the ball catches an inside edge onto the pads. It pops up but lands safely in front of the batter.

Shorter and on off. Kaia glides it to backward point with an open bat face.

Floated up, on off. Taylor reaches out in front and eases it to long on for a single.

Good work in the field! Ellis digs it in short, angled in at the body line of the batter. Kaia swivels and rolls his wrists over the ball on the pull. Pulls it behind square leg where two men converge. Oliver Peake dives to his right and pushes it away towards the converging fielder. Two taken.

A bit of nip back into the right-hander, on a nagging length, on off. Innocent drops his bat down on the ball and jams it out.

Bowled on a short of a length, on middle. Taylor taps it to the right of the bowler and gets to the other end.

Slanting in at the hips, on a good length. Taylor helps it behind square leg, but the sub fielder, Joel Davies is placed there at a short backward square leg. He dives to his left and makes a fine stop.

At 133 kph, banged in short, climbing onto the batter, around off. Brendan makes a late decision to play the upper cut. He rises on his toes but fails to make any connection.

In the channel, on a length. Taylor lets it be.

Angles it in full and on off. Taylor brings out the reverse and plays it straight to short third. A misfield there allows the batters to sneak in a quick single.

Fuller and on middle. Taylor firms the drive down the deck. Cooper Connolly dives to his left to prevent the single.

The length is dragged back now, on middle and leg. Kaia nurdles it behind square leg and turns the strike over.

Even fuller now, on off. Kaia knocks it straight to cover.

Keeps it slow and tosses it up a bit, on off. Innocent gets a good stride in to block.

Flighted up, on off and middle. Kaia brings his bat out in front and defends.

Cooper Connolly comes into the attack.

Delivers it on a back of a length, on off. Brendan keeps it out with a straight bat.

Angled in at the hips at pace, Kaia helps it down to deep fine leg and picks up a single.

Serves the back-of-the-hand slower one, full and on off. Kaia lunges and blocks it out.

Pace off, on a short of a length, on off. Innocent drops it beside the strip on the off side.

Hits the top of the off stump. Kaia stays back and stabs it down.

Too full, too straight, a half-volley, on the pads. Kaia flicks it off the pads but can't get it past the man at mid-wicket, who gets low to his left to make the stop.

Time for Powerplay 2. Australia are now allowed 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over. Zimbabwe have scored at a good clip but have lost both openers. Unlike Brian Bennett, they need their batters to make their starts count and go big.

FOUR! Taylor is off the mark with a boundary. Pitched-up delivery, on the pads, Brendan Taylor gets inside the line of the ball and flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Good length, on off, Brendan Taylor crouches low and keeps it out.

Back of a length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Brendan Taylor keeps it out.

Pitched-up around off, Innocent Kaia drives this to the covers region for a single.

On a length, around off, Innocent Kaia drives this to covers for no run.

FOUR! Good length, on the pads, Innocent Kaia gets inside the line of the ball and flicks it past the left of Travis Head at deep backward square leg for a boundary. Head gave up early and did not go at full throttle in the chase.

Back of the hand, slower one, on the pads, Brendan Taylor gets beaten on the inside and gets hit on the pads. A stifled appeal for LBW, but the umpire turns it down. Ellis ends the appeal by gesturing that this would have missed the leg stump.

Good length, on the pads, Brendan Taylor looks to tuck it away but misses and gets hit high on his thigh pad.

Brendan Taylor walks out to bat. He needs 40 runs to overtake Andy Flower and become Zimbabwe's all-time leading run-scorer in ODI history.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another promising start thrown away by Brian Bennett. Ellis bowls this back of a length, on middle and off. Brian Bennett looks to slog this over the mid-wicket region but gets a top edge, and it hangs over Travis Head at mid on. Head settles himself underneath the flight of it and gallops it around his chest. Zimbabwe are now 2 down for 48.

On a length, wide of off, Brian Bennett drives this to covers for no run.

FOUR! Brian flicks this in the gap for four runs. Good length, on the pads, Brian Bennett flicks this to the right of Spencer Johnson at deep fine leg for a boundary. Johnson is late to get the slide in. A bit better in terms of effort from the tall pacer in the deep might have kept it down to 2 or 3.

Ellis starts by hitting the deck hard, bowls it around middle and leg, Brian Bennett tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Nathan Ellis comes into the attack as the first change.

Just one bad delivery in the over, which was flicked away to the fence, rest, it was an excellent over. Xavier Bartlett bowls another one around off, shaping it away from the batter off a good length. Innocent Kaia looks to keep it out but misses.

On a length, wide of off, Innocent Kaia defends it out off his back foot.

FOUR! Xavier gets hit for a four as he looks to extract more swing. Pitches it up, on the pads, Innocent Kaia leans inside the line of the ball and flicks it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Xavier Bartlett has found the best spot to bowl on, and he is going past the bat repeatedly. Drags his length back here a tad, bowls it around off, and shapes it away from the batter. Innocent Kaia looks to keep it out but gets beaten as the ball goes away from the batter.

PEACH OF A DELIVERY! Good length, around off, in the corridor of uncertainty, shaping away from the batter. Innocent Kaia looks to defend it, but gets beaten on his outside edge.

Yorker, around off, shaping away in the air. Innocent Kaia pushes this to covers.

Back of a length, around off, Brian Bennett jumps up on his toes and guides this to point.

Good length, around off, Innocent Kaia works this in the gap on the on side for a single.

FOUR! Kaia is off the mark with a fortunate boundary. Good length, around off, Innocent Kaia prods onto his front foot, gets nowhere close to the pitch of the ball but still goes through with the drive. Gets an inside edge to the fine leg fence for four runs.

On a length, wide of off, Innocent Kaia gets on top of the bounce and dead bats it.

A tad on the shorter side, around off, Innocent Kaia shoulders his arms at it.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg side. Wided.

Innocent Kaia is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! An excellent review by Marsh and the opening pair is separated. Back of a length, around the pads, Ben Curran steps inside the line of the ball as he looks to help this around the fine leg region but the ball brushes something around his pads and the ball is gathered behind the stumps by the keeper. A loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire turns it down. Mitchell Marsh sends this upstairs. UltraEdge shows a faint tickle off the glove as the ball is next to it, and the umpire is asked to overturn his decision to OUT.

Good length, on off, Brian Bennett keeps it out.

FOUR! This is turning out to be an expensive over for the Aussies. Pitched-up delivery, on the pads, Brian Bennett flicks this through the square leg region for the second four of the over. 17 runs off the over with a ball to go.

FOUR! Back of a length, around middle and leg, Brian Bennett goes for a pull but gets it edged off the inside edge and the ball races away to the fine leg fence for four runs. Travis Head sprints to his right and tries to flick the ball away with his right boot, but the ball brushes the ropes first before he pushes it away.

SIX! That's been hammered up and over the fence for a huge six. Short one, around middle and off, Brian Bennett gets into a good position behind the line of the ball and pulls this over the deep square leg fence for a massive six.

On a length, around the pads, Brian Bennett tucks this to the leg side.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Ben Curran pulls this to the left of the fielder at mid on and takes three runs. Adam Zampa gives chase and hauls it in.

Good length, on off, Brian Bennett punches this to cover-point for no run.

Yorker, around off, Brian Bennett guides this to the right of the fielder at point.

Back of a length, around off, Brian Bennett gets behind the line of the ball and jams it out.

Good length, around off, going across the batter, Brian Bennett swings and misses.

Good game awareness by Ben Curran here. On a length, around off, Ben Curran punches this to the right of the bowler. Spencer Johnson gets a bit of his right hand to it and takes the sting out of it. The ball rolls behind the bowler and Ben senses an opportunity to sneak one and does it with ease.

Good length, on off, Ben Curran keeps it out around point.

Short one, around middle and leg, Brian Bennett goes for a pull but it pops up off his thigh pad and the ball lands behind the stumps for a dot.

This was travelling away as well but a good diving effort to his left by Oliver Peake at cover-point saves a certain boundary for the Aussies. On a length, around off, Brian Bennett drives this well and keeps it grounded, but Oliver Peake saves it from going past the infield.

FOUR! Another boundary to Brian Bennett. Good length, around off, Brian Bennett presses onto his front foot and drives this through the covers region on the up for a boundary.

Good length, angling into the batter, Brian Bennett nudges this straight to square leg.

On a length, around the pads, Ben Curran tickles this to the fine leg region for a single.

Short and around off, Ben Curran hops up on his toes and pushes this to point.

Spencer bowls this at 140 kph, full and on off, Brian Bennett gets it off the inner portion of his bat to the left of the bowler for a dot. A maiden for Spencer Johnson.

Back of a length, around off, Brian Bennett punches this on the up towards covers for no run.

An inswinging fuller one around the pads, Brian Bennett looks to flick it away but gets beaten on the inside and gets hit on his pads. A gentle appeal for LBW, but the umpire shows no interest in it.

Bouncer, around middle and leg, Brian Bennett sits underneath it.

Slash and a miss. Back of a length, going across the batter, Brian Bennett doesn't move his feet at all and slashes hard at it but gets beaten.

Seaming away delivery this time by Spencer. Good length, lands on the seam around off, shapes away and beats Bennett on the outside.

Good length, onto the pads, Ben Curran tucks this to the mid on fielder for no run.

Pitched-up delivery, around off, Brian Bennett drives this to the left of mid off and takes a single as Marsh dives to his left to field it.

Full and around off, shaping away from the batter. Brian Bennett throws his bat at it and gets it edged through the backward point region for a brace.

Good length, around off, Brian Bennett keeps it out off his back foot.

Short and around off, Ben Curran gets up on his toes and dabs this around covers for a quick single. The throws comes in to the non-striker's end but misses.

An absolutely unplayable delivery to start his spell by Xavier Bartlett. Lands it around that 6-8 m length, on off, shaping off the seam and away from the batter. Ben Curran plays within the line to get beaten on the outside edge.

Xavier Bartlett will take the other new ball.

FOUR! Spencer Johnson dishes one on a length, and down the leg side, Brian Bennett gets inside the line of the ball and tickles this fine to the left of the keeper for a boundary to the fine leg region.

Good length, around off, Ben Curran ekes out an inside edge onto the pads. It dribbles away in the gap at covers, allowing Ben to get off the mark.

Right in the channel, on a length, Ben Curran covers his off-pole and leaves it. Excellent leave.

Another attempted yorker, lands a touch on the fuller side, Ben Curran guides this to cover-point.

WIDE! Full and way too wide of off, Ben Curran leaves it. Josh Inglis dives to his left but the ball evades him and Xavier Bartlett takes a bit of a blow on the shin at first slip.

Well, well... Spencer may have planned this out. Yorker again, on off, Ben Curran keeps it out with a block.

Spencer Johnson starts with a yorker, on off, Brian Bennett jams it away behind point and gets off the mark with a single.

We are all set to get going. The sun is shining in all its glory as the two umpires make their way out to the middle. Mitchell Marsh and his men disperse from the huddle and take their respective positions on the field. It will be the left-hand, right-hand combination of Ben Curran and Brian Bennett to open the innings for Zimbabwe. Spencer Johnson is ready at the top of his mark. Johnson to Bennett. Two slips await. Here we go...

PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawoyo says this is the same surface which was used for the previous game, where 628 runs were scored. Shares that it is a pleasant morning and notes that there is a bit of breeze blowing across the ground. Mentions that some water has been sprinkled on the surface to hold it together. He expects the pitch to be a little slower than the other day, with cracks opening up, particularly around a good length. There is also some dryness close to the full length, which could bring a bit of turn into play. Apart from that, he expects it to be a good surface.

Let's hear from the spin wizard - Australia's Adam Zampa, on his 200th ODI wicket, says it is always nice to reach those milestones, and it was a great way to get there. When asked if he is eyeing Shane Warne's tally of 293 ODI wickets, he says his first focus is to be in the squad for the World Cup and, in terms of his numbers, it took him six years to get to 100 wickets and just four years for the next 100. Adds that he is 34 right now, so he is focused on the upcoming World Cup. On the approach in this third ODI, he says he thinks they have been playing really well in the first two ODIs and their batters have done a tremendous job. With the ball, it has not been easy in these conditions, and they are expecting something similar today, and they want to grind them down today.

In conversation with Brian Bennett - On his approach to today's game, Bennett says he thinks it is just about trying to stick to the basics for as long as possible, as they saw in the second innings of the second ODI that all of the batters were getting starts. He thinks it is just about trying to keep going from there, not getting too far ahead of themselves or thinking that they are already in, as it is a quality Australian bowling attack, so they have to stay focused ball by ball for as long as possible. He says they just need to stick to their processes and their game plans, and if they come out and execute those to the best of their ability, he thinks they can definitely come away with a win today. On positives from the series till now, he says all the batters have got starts in all the games, and every batter has had an opportunity to go out there and face the Australian bowlers, which is a good challenge for all of them, so he thinks that is one of the main positives.

The captain of Australia - Mitchell Marsh says he would have batted first as well. On their approach, Marsh says that while they have already won the series, their focus remains on next year's World Cup. He adds that they want to rotate the squad, but the mindset and approach will remain the same. Marsh informs that they have made two changes, with Josh Hazlewood sitting out and Billy Stanlake missing the game due to injury.

The skipper of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says they want to try something different by batting first. He acknowledges that it is a used wicket and expects batting to get tougher against the older ball. Raza adds that they will look to assess the conditions early and put a big total on the board.

Australia (Playing XI) - Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (WK), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett (In for Josh Hazlewood), Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson (In for Billy Stanlake).

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor (WK), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (C), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku (In for Newman Nyamhuri), Graeme Cremer (In for Wellington Masakadza), and Blessing Muzarabani.

TOSS - The coin goes up and comes down in favour of Sikandar Raza. Zimbabwe have opted to BAT first.

Changes on the cards - With the series decided, Australia might shake up their lineup by welcoming back star all-rounder Cameron Green from a shoulder niggle, while Spencer Johnson could feature following Billy Stanlake's injury. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza could hand youngster Tadiwanashe Marumani an outing to spark a lineup looking to finish the series on a high. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Zimbabwe's blueprint for success - To challenge the clinical Australians, Zimbabwe's batting unit must show greater discipline and convert decent starts into match-winning scores to handle scoreboard pressure. A massive individual milestone awaits the veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor, who stands just 40 runs away from overtaking the legendary Andy Flower to become Zimbabwe's all-time leading run-scorer in ODI history.

Hello and welcome, everyone - Australia enter the third and final ODI at the Harare Sports Club in absolute control, having already sealed the three-match series with a game to spare. Under Mitchell Marsh, the visitors are hunting a clinical 3-0 clean sweep, using this final fixture to test their team combinations. On the other hand, a motivated Zimbabwe side is playing for pride in front of a passionate home crowd, determined to weather the storm, avoid a whitewash, and secure a historic consolation victory against a top-tier opponent.

... MATCH DAY ...

End of the road - Zimbabwe and Australia meet for the final ODI of the series at Harare Sports Club, with the visitors already having secured the series after convincing wins in the opening two matches. Australia won the first ODI by 59 runs and followed it up with an 84-run victory in the second, leaving Zimbabwe with the task of salvaging a result in the finale. The third match nevertheless carries plenty of significance. Australia are using this African tour as preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while Zimbabwe are looking to gain experience against one of the world's leading sides ahead of the tournament they will co-host with South Africa and Namibia. Aussies roaring back to form - Australia have been increasingly impressive as the series has progressed. In the first ODI, Matt Renshaw produced a maiden ODI century, making 109, while Nathan Ellis claimed 5/31 to help Australia defend 294. Zimbabwe fought back through Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza, but eventually fell for 235. The second ODI was even more one-sided. Travis Head exploded into form with 112 from just 84 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes, while Mitchell Marsh made 53 and Cooper Connolly contributed 78. Australia finished on 356/6, their highest ODI total against Zimbabwe, before bowling the hosts out for 272. Head's return to form is particularly notable. After a lean run across his recent international and franchise appearances, he produced a 84-ball 112 and immediately demonstrated why he remains such an important component of Australia's ODI batting plans. Plethora of individual talent - Australia also have considerable depth behind their opening pair. Connolly has now produced three consecutive ODI scores of 50 or more, while Renshaw's century in the opening match has strengthened his case for a place in Australia's developing ODI middle order. Ollie Peake has also provided an exciting glimpse of his finishing ability. The 20-year-old struck an unbeaten 41 from only 18 balls in the second ODI, including three sixes in the final over. Adam Zampa reached 200 ODI wickets in the second match when he dismissed Innocent Kaia. He finished with 2/62, while Josh Hazlewood, returning to the XI, took 2/48. Australia's bowling attack has consequently offered variety throughout the series. Nathan Ellis' five-wicket haul in the opener was followed by a more evenly distributed effort in the second ODI, with Australia's spinners playing a major role in restricting Zimbabwe's middle order. One concern for Australia is the fitness of Billy Stanlake, who suffered a side strain during the second ODI. His availability for the final match will therefore be worth monitoring. Searching for a complete performance - Zimbabwe have shown flashes of competitiveness but have struggled to sustain pressure for 50 overs. In the opening ODI, Ervine and Raza combined for 98 runs and gave the chase momentum before Ellis' return ended Zimbabwe's resistance. In the second match, however, the hosts were unable to match Australia's scoring rate after reaching 50 only after 14 overs. Raza remains central to Zimbabwe's hopes. Standing in as captain while Richard Ngarava recovers from a lower-back injury, he has also contributed with the bat. The experienced Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor provide additional stability, while Blessing Muzarabani remains the major threat with the ball. The Harare factor - Harare Sports Club has been the venue for all three matches and will host the finale as well. Australia have historically enjoyed success at the ground, winning seven of their previous 10 ODIs there. The first two matches have demonstrated that batting can become increasingly productive once players settle in. Zimbabwe will therefore need to make better use of the early overs with both bat and ball, while Australia's ability to accelerate in the latter stages has been a major difference between the teams. Form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - ZIM - LLLWW | AUS - WWWLL. What to expect? The third ODI is less about the series result and more about individual opportunities. Australia can use the fixture to continue assessing players for their longer-term ODI plans, while Zimbabwe have an opportunity to finish the series with a performance that reflects their competitiveness at home. With Head finding his rhythm, Connolly producing consistently and Australia's bowling attack sharing the workload effectively, the visitors have controlled both matches so far. Zimbabwe's challenge will be to improve their Powerplay batting, build longer partnerships and find a way to contain Australia's explosive finish. The final ODI should therefore provide another useful test for Zimbabwe and another opportunity for Australia to fine-tune their squad ahead of the more demanding contests that await them on the remainder of their African tour.