Australia arrived in Harare for their first ODI series in Zimbabwe in 12 years. They left with a clean sweep and one contest they’ll be talking about for a while.
Three matches, September 15 to 20, 2026, all at the Harare Sports Club. Australia won every one. The Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI series was billed as low-key World Cup preparation. It turned into something closer to a rollercoaster, especially in the finale.
Matt Renshaw opened the tour with a maiden century. Travis Head followed it with a bigger one. Then Josh Inglis and Nathan Ellis dragged Australia over the line by a single wicket in a match Zimbabwe probably deserved to win.
Here’s the full Australia National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe Cricket Team story, match by match.
Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026: overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tour | Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026 |
| Teams | Australia vs Zimbabwe |
| Format | ODI |
| Matches | 3 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club |
| Series result | Australia won 3-0 |
| First ODI | September 15, 2026 |
| Final ODI | September 20, 2026 |
All three matches were played on September 15, 18, and 20. Australia won each one, though only the first two were comfortable.
Australia National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe Cricket Team: tour story
Australia starts tour with 59-run victory
Mitchell Marsh, standing in for a rested Pat Cummins, won the toss and chose to bat. Australia slipped to 83 for 3 inside 13 overs. Then Matt Renshaw happened.
Renshaw walked in at No. 6 and built an innings that mixed patient running with late aggression. Dropped on 12 by Craig Ervine off a no-ball, he reached fifty off 55 balls, then found the next 33 balls far more productive on his way to 109. It was his maiden ODI hundred and Australia’s first ODI century against Zimbabwe since Michael Clarke’s unbeaten 105 back in 2004.
Cooper Connolly added 51 off 46 balls before Sikandar Raza uprooted his off stump. Mitchell Marsh chipped in 36, Ollie Peake 30, and Australia posted 294 for 8.
Zimbabwe never let the game drift out of reach entirely. Craig Ervine (59) and Sikandar Raza (57) put on 98 after a slide to 62 for 4, dragging the total toward something respectable. It wasn’t enough. Nathan Ellis took two wickets in his first over and returned to remove Ervine, finishing with a career-best 5 for 31. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235.
Australia won by 59 runs. Renshaw took player of the match.
Australia takes series 2-0 after 84-run win
If the first ODI was Renshaw’s day, the second belonged entirely to Travis Head.
Head made 112 off 84 balls, reaching his century in 75, his eighth ODI hundred. Mitchell Marsh scored 53, and Cooper Connolly followed his 51 in the opener with 78 off 69 balls, his third fifty-plus score in as many innings. Ollie Peake finished things off with an 18-ball 41 not out.
Australia posted 356 for 6, their highest ODI total ever against Zimbabwe.
There was a personal milestone buried inside the carnage too. Adam Zampa dismissed Innocent Kaia to reach 200 ODI wickets, becoming only the second Australian spinner after Shane Warne to hit that mark. He added Ervine’s wicket later and finished with 2 for 62.
Zimbabwe fought hard in reply. Sikandar Raza made 45, Brendan Taylor 39, but 356 was always going to be too many. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 272, and Australia wrapped up the series with a match to spare.
Player of the match: Travis Head.
Australia completes 3-0 sweep in dramatic third ODI
Zimbabwe made changes for the dead rubber. Graeme Cremer played his first ODI in 8 years, replacing Wellington Masakadza, while Newman Nyamhuri made way for Tanaka Masuku. Australia brought in Spencer Johnson and Aaron Bartlett for Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Stanlake. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat.
It nearly worked.
Innocent Kaia and Craig Ervine built a platform, Kaia retiring hurt on 55 with the score at 148 for 3. Sikandar Raza then took over, batting through to an unbeaten 81, with Ervine adding another 59. Zimbabwe brought up 200 with 10 overs still in hand and looked set for their biggest total of the tour. The final flourish never quite arrived. Ervine holed out at long-on, Wesley Madhevere edged behind soon after, and Nathan Ellis (3 for 50) helped pull things back. Zimbabwe finished on 271 for 8, their second-highest ODI total against Australia.
Australia’s chase started well enough. They were cruising at 162 for 3 in the 26th over before Brad Evans tore through the middle order, eventually finishing with 4 for 47. Josh Inglis held everything together, reaching his second ODI century off 102 balls. When he was finally out, Australia still needed 45.
That’s when Nathan Ellis, who’d already taken 3 wickets with the ball, walked out and refused to blink. He put together an unbeaten 36, and with last man Spencer Johnson for company, Australia needed 27 when the pair came together at the fall of the ninth wicket. They got there with a ball to spare.
Australia 272 for 9, won by 1 wicket. Josh Inglis, player of the match. Sikandar Raza, Cricinfo’s MVP of the match, despite finishing on the losing side.
Zimbabwe’s captain summed it up afterward: his side probably deserved to win, but Australia got the job done when it mattered.
Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI series results 2026
| ODI | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Sept 15 | Harare | Australia won by 59 runs |
| 2nd ODI | Sept 18 | Harare | Australia won by 84 runs |
| 3rd ODI | Sept 20 | Harare | Australia won by 1 wicket |
Australia vs Zimbabwe head to head
Australia vs Zimbabwe head to head in ODIs
Before this tour, Australia and Zimbabwe had met 33 times in ODIs. Australia had won 29, Zimbabwe 3, with 1 no result. Add this series, and the tally now stands at 36 matches, 32 wins for Australia, 3 for Zimbabwe, 1 no result.
Australia vs Zimbabwe head to head in Tests
Australia and Zimbabwe have played 3 Tests. Australia won all three, a clean 100% record in the format.
Australia vs Zimbabwe head to head in T20Is
This is where the story gets interesting. Australia and Zimbabwe have played 4 T20Is, and it’s split 2-2. Zimbabwe’s two wins both came in major tournaments, including a 23-run upset over Australia at the 2026 T20 World Cup in Colombo. Every one of Zimbabwe’s wins against Australia, across every format, has come in a T20I.
Australia vs Zimbabwe head to head: overall record
| Format | Matches | Australia wins | Zimbabwe wins | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 draws |
| ODIs | 36 | 32 | 3 | 1 no result |
| T20Is | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
These figures reflect the record after this ODI tour. Worth double-checking against the latest Cricinfo records page before you publish, since these numbers move with every series.
Top performers of Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026
Australia’s top run scorers
| Player | Standout innings | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Head | 112 (84) | 2nd ODI |
| Matt Renshaw | 109 (94) | 1st ODI |
| Josh Inglis | 103 (102) | 3rd ODI |
| Cooper Connolly | 78 (69) | 2nd ODI |
Zimbabwe’s top run scorers
| Player | Standout innings | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Sikandar Raza | 81* | 3rd ODI |
| Craig Ervine | 59 | 1st & 3rd ODI |
| Sikandar Raza | 57 | 1st ODI |
| Innocent Kaia | 55 ret. hurt | 3rd ODI |
Australia’s leading wicket-takers
| Player | Best figures | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan Ellis | 5/31 | 1st ODI |
| Nathan Ellis | 3/50 | 3rd ODI |
| Adam Zampa | 2/62 | 2nd ODI |
| Cooper Connolly | 2/25 | 2nd ODI |
Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-takers
| Player | Best figures | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Newman Nyamhuri | 5/62 | 1st ODI |
| Brad Evans | 4/47 | 3rd ODI |
| Brad Evans | 3/86 | 2nd ODI |
| Wellington Masakadza | 2/51 | 2nd ODI |
Key moments from Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026
Matt Renshaw’s maiden ODI century. Ten years after his only previous international hundred, a Test century against Pakistan, Renshaw finally got his ODI ton. It was also Australia’s first ODI century against Zimbabwe since 2004.
Nathan Ellis’ five-wicket haul. A career-best 5 for 31 in the opener, built on two wickets in his first over.
Travis Head’s century in the second ODI. 112 off 84 balls, his eighth ODI hundred, and the platform for Australia’s highest-ever ODI total against Zimbabwe.
Adam Zampa’s 200 ODI wickets. Reached during the second ODI, dismissing Innocent Kaia. Only Shane Warne has more among Australian spinners.
Josh Inglis’ century in the third ODI. His second ODI hundred, and the reason Australia were still in the hunt when the game got tight.
Nathan Ellis’ match-winning contribution in the final ODI. An unbeaten 36 alongside No. 11 Spencer Johnson, chasing down the last 27 runs with one wicket standing.
Read Also : Australia National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe Cricket Team Timeline
Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026: match-wise scorecards
1st ODI – Australia vs Zimbabwe
Australia 294/8 beat Zimbabwe 235 by 59 runs. View full Australia vs Zimbabwe Match Scorecard for the complete batting and bowling breakdown.
2nd ODI – Australia vs Zimbabwe
Australia 356/6 beat Zimbabwe 272 by 84 runs. View full Australia vs Zimbabwe Match Scorecard for the complete batting and bowling breakdown.
3rd ODI – Australia vs Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe 271/8, Australia 272/9, Australia won by 1 wicket. View full Australia vs Zimbabwe Match Scorecard for the complete batting and bowling breakdown.
Best batting performances of the tour
| Player | Team | Runs | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Head | Australia | 112 (84) | 2nd ODI |
| Matt Renshaw | Australia | 109 (94) | 1st ODI |
| Josh Inglis | Australia | 103 (102) | 3rd ODI |
| Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe | 81* | 3rd ODI |
| Cooper Connolly | Australia | 78 (69) | 2nd ODI |
| Craig Ervine | Zimbabwe | 59 | 1st ODI |
| Craig Ervine | Zimbabwe | 59 | 3rd ODI |
Best bowling performances of the tour
Five-wicket hauls: Nathan Ellis, 5/31 (1st ODI). Newman Nyamhuri, 5/62 (1st ODI), his maiden ODI five-for and, at 20 years and 239 days, the youngest Zimbabwean to take an ODI five-wicket haul.
Four-wicket hauls: Brad Evans, 4/47 (3rd ODI), the spell that nearly won Zimbabwe the match.
Match-winning spells: Nathan Ellis’ 3 for 50 in the third ODI set up the chase, then he finished the job with the bat. That’s as close to a complete match-winning performance as this tour produced.
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Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026: series statistics
- Total matches: 3
- Australia wins: 3
- Zimbabwe wins: 0
- Highest team total: Australia, 356/6 (2nd ODI), their highest ODI total ever against Zimbabwe
- Lowest team total: Zimbabwe, 235 (1st ODI)
- Highest individual score: Travis Head, 112 (2nd ODI)
- Best bowling figures: Nathan Ellis, 5/31 (1st ODI)
- Biggest winning margin: 84 runs (2nd ODI)
- Narrowest winning margin: 1 wicket (3rd ODI)
What the 3-0 series sweep means for Australia
A clean sweep reads simply on paper. This one wasn’t that simple to live through.
Two of the three wins were comfortable, built on centuries from Renshaw and Head and a five-wicket haul from Ellis. The third came down to a single ball, with Australia’s last pair grinding out 27 runs together to avoid an embarrassing finish to an otherwise dominant tour.
Josh Inglis’ century held the chase together when it mattered, and his overall showing across the series will do his case for a bigger role no harm heading toward 2027. Nathan Ellis quietly finished as one of the standout performers of the tour, combining wickets with the bat when Australia needed both. Adam Zampa’s 200-wicket milestone added a personal storyline to a series that was mostly about the top order.
Zimbabwe, for their part, gave Australia far more than a 3-0 scoreline suggests. Two near-300 totals and a nine-wicket fight in the decider will offer their own group plenty to build on.
Josh Inglis said afterward that the kind of pressure Australia faced chasing down that final total could prove useful heading into the 2027 ODI World Cup, a tournament co-hosted in this part of the world.
Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026: complete timeline
September 15, 2026 → 1st ODI → Australia won by 59 runs
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September 18, 2026 → 2nd ODI → Australia won by 84 runs
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September 20, 2026 → 3rd ODI → Australia won by 1 wicket
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Final result → Australia won series 3-0
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI series in 2026?
Australia won 3-0.
What was the result of the Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026?
A clean sweep. Australia won all three ODIs, played between September 15 and 20 at the Harare Sports Club.
How many matches did Australia play against Zimbabwe in 2026?
Three ODIs on this tour.
What was the result of the first Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI?
Australia won by 59 runs, powered by Matt Renshaw’s maiden century and Nathan Ellis’ 5 for 31.
Who won the second ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe?
Australia, by 84 runs, after Travis Head’s 112 helped them post their highest-ever total against Zimbabwe.
Who won the third Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI?
Australia, by 1 wicket, in the tightest finish of the tour. Josh Inglis’ century and Nathan Ellis’ unbeaten 36 got them home.
What is the Australia vs Zimbabwe head-to-head record?
Australia leads 3-0 in Tests, 32-3 in ODIs (with 1 no result), and 2-2 in T20Is, going into this series’ aftermath.
Who scored the most runs in the Australia vs Zimbabwe 2026 ODI series?
Travis Head’s 112 was the highest individual score of the series, with Matt Renshaw (109) and Josh Inglis (103) also passing three figures.
Who took the most wickets in the Australia vs Zimbabwe 2026 ODI series?
Nathan Ellis, with at least 8 wickets across the two matches where his figures are confirmed, including a career-best 5 for 31.
Conclusion: Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026
Three matches. Three wins. A 3-0 series sweep.
But the numbers alone undersell it. Australia needed a maiden century from Renshaw, a near-flawless day from Head, and a nerve-shredding last-wicket stand from Ellis and Johnson to get there.
The tour ended with the closest match of the series, Australia chasing down 272 for 9 to beat Zimbabwe by one wicket. For the full breakdown of each innings, check the individual Australia vs Zimbabwe Match Scorecard pages linked above.
