Australia completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep over Zimbabwe, but the final match was anything but comfortable. The visitors survived a dramatic last-over finish in Harare to beat Zimbabwe by one wicket, reaching 272 for 9 in 49.5 overs while chasing 272.
What looked like another routine Australian victory suddenly became a serious scare when the world champions were reduced to 245 for 9. Zimbabwe needed just one more wicket to pull off a famous win, while Australia still required 27 runs.
With the match slipping away, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson produced the late rescue act. Ellis finished unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls, and Australia finally crossed the line with one ball remaining.
Zimbabwe Post 271 as Raza Leads From the Front
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza made the most of the opportunity after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. The hosts finished their 50 overs on 271 for 8, a competitive total on a used Harare Sports Club surface.
Raza was the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten 81 from 72 balls with seven fours and a six. Craig Ervine provided valuable support with 59 from 79 balls, while Innocent Kaia contributed 55 from 66 deliveries before retiring hurt.
Zimbabwe’s innings could have been even bigger. At one stage, a score above 300 appeared possible, but Nathan Ellis changed the momentum with a crucial spell. The Australian quick finished with 3 for 50 from his 10 overs and helped trigger a late Zimbabwe collapse.
Adam Zampa also played an important role, taking two wickets, while Spencer Johnson claimed two. Zimbabwe therefore had to settle for 271, but given the pitch and Australia’s recent dominance, it was still a total that offered them a genuine chance.
Josh Inglis Keeps Australia Alive With a Brilliant Century
Australia’s chase began badly.
The visitors lost three wickets for 77 runs, putting pressure on the middle order much earlier than expected. Zimbabwe’s bowlers continued to attack and regularly found breakthroughs.
Then came Josh Inglis.
The wicketkeeper-batter played the innings Australia desperately needed, scoring a superb 103 from 102 balls. His knock included 11 fours and gave Australia the platform required to stay in the chase. Inglis was eventually dismissed, but by then he had put Australia within striking distance.
Alex Carey also contributed 34 from just 30 balls, but Australia’s lower order once again found itself under enormous pressure.
Brad Evans was Zimbabwe’s main threat with the ball. He claimed four wickets for 47 runs from his 10 overs and repeatedly pushed Australia towards the edge. With Australia nine wickets down for 245, Zimbabwe were suddenly within touching distance of one of their most memorable ODI victories.
Nathan Ellis Produces the Moment Australia Needed
The equation at the beginning of the final over was simple but brutal: Australia needed nine runs with only one wicket remaining.
Zimbabwe turned to Wessly Madhevere.
Ellis immediately changed the equation.
The Australian all-rounder smashed a six from the first delivery, dramatically reducing the pressure. From there, the final pair kept their composure and collected the remaining runs needed to complete the chase.
Australia reached 272 for 9 after 49.5 overs, winning by one wicket with a ball to spare. Ellis remained unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls, while Johnson finished unbeaten on seven from 13 deliveries.
For Zimbabwe, it was a painful ending. They had Australia nine wickets down and needed only one more breakthrough, but the final pair refused to give them another chance.
A 3-0 Sweep That Was Far Closer Than It Looks
The series result says Australia dominated Zimbabwe 3-0, but the scoreline does not tell the entire story.
Australia won the opening ODI by 59 runs after Matt Renshaw’s maiden ODI century and Nathan Ellis’ five-wicket haul. Renshaw scored 109, while Ellis finished with 5 for 31 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235.
The second ODI was another convincing Australian performance. Travis Head smashed 112 from 75 balls, Mitchell Marsh made 53 and Cooper Connolly scored 78 as Australia posted 356 for 6. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 272, giving Australia an 84-run victory and an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
The third ODI was completely different.
Zimbabwe pushed Australia to the limit, and the visitors needed a last-wicket partnership to avoid an upset. That makes the 3-0 series result look much more straightforward than the actual contest was.
Raza, Inglis and Ellis Shine in a Memorable Finale
There were several standout performers across the final ODI.
For Zimbabwe, Raza’s unbeaten 81 was the backbone of the innings. Ervine’s 59 and Kaia’s 55 helped build the platform, while Brad Evans’ four wickets nearly turned the match in the hosts’ favour.
For Australia, Inglis’ 103 was the defining batting performance. Without his century, the chase could have ended much earlier.
Ellis, meanwhile, made an impact with both bat and ball. After taking 3 for 50 during Zimbabwe’s innings, he returned to score an unbeaten 36 under huge pressure.
Josh Inglis was named Player of the Match, while Cooper Connolly was officially named Player of the Series.
Zimbabwe Miss Another Chance Against Australia in Harare
The result also carried some historical significance.
Zimbabwe’s famous three-wicket victory over Australia at Harare in August 2014 remains their most recent ODI win over the Australians. On that occasion, Elton Chigumbura’s unbeaten 52 helped Zimbabwe chase 210 with two overs remaining.
Twelve years later, Zimbabwe came agonisingly close to repeating that achievement.
They had Australia at 245 for 9 while defending 271. One more wicket would have produced a memorable upset. Instead, Ellis and Johnson held their nerve and took Australia over the line.
For Zimbabwe, that will be the frustrating part of this series. They leave the three-match contest without a win, but the final ODI showed they can put a strong Australian side under serious pressure.
For Australia, the clean sweep provides another useful result as preparations continue ahead of next year’s World Cup in southern Africa. The defending world champions were tested in the final match, particularly by Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, and ultimately found a way to survive.
The final scorecard will show Australia 272/9, Zimbabwe 271/8 and a one-wicket Australian victory. But anyone who watched the closing stages will remember it for the tension, the last-wicket partnership and Ellis’ crucial six when Australia needed something special.
It was not a comfortable Australian win. It was a survival act.
And that makes the final match arguably the most memorable game of the series.
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