Complete Match Summary
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Zimbabwe vs Australia, 3rd ODI |
| Date | September 20, 2026 |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Toss | Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat |
| Zimbabwe Score | 271/8 (50 overs) |
| Australia Score | 272/9 (49.5 overs) |
| Result | Australia won by 1 wicket |
| Player of the Match | Josh Inglis — 103 (102) |
| Player of the Series | Cooper Connolly |
| Series Result | Australia won the three-match ODI series 3-0 |
Australia completed a dramatic 3-0 ODI series sweep over Zimbabwe after surviving one of the closest finishes of the tour. In the ZIM vs AUS 3rd ODI 2026, Australia chased down Zimbabwe’s 272-run target with just one wicket remaining and one ball to spare at Harare Sports Club on September 20. Zimbabwe scored 271/8 in their 50 overs, while Australia reached 272/9 in 49.5 overs. Josh Inglis played the central role in Australia’s chase, scoring a superb 103 from 102 balls. Nathan Ellis then produced a crucial unbeaten 36 from 44 deliveries to take Australia over the line in the final stages. His partnership with Spencer Johnson turned what looked like a possible Zimbabwe victory into a dramatic Australian escape.
ZIM vs AUS 3rd ODI 2026: Toss and Match Details
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bat first at Harare Sports Club. Australia had already won the opening two matches, meaning Zimbabwe needed a victory to avoid a 3-0 series sweep. Zimbabwe’s decision to bat first produced a competitive total. Their middle order kept the scoreboard moving, while Raza’s unbeaten 81 gave the hosts a strong finish. Australia, however, kept taking wickets at important stages and restricted Zimbabwe to 271/8.
Full Zimbabwe Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | c Travis Head b Nathan Ellis | 30 | 29 | 5 | 1 |
| Ben Curran | c Josh Inglis b Spencer Johnson | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Innocent Kaia | Retired hurt | 55 | 66 | 7 | 0 |
| Brendan Taylor | b Adam Zampa | 9 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Craig Ervine | c Matt Renshaw b Adam Zampa | 59 | 79 | 5 | 0 |
| Sikandar Raza | not out | 81 | 72 | 7 | 1 |
| Wessly Madhevere | c Matt Renshaw b Nathan Ellis | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brad Evans | c Josh Inglis b Spencer Johnson | 11 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Graeme Cremer | lbw b Nathan Ellis | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Ernest Masuku | run out | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | not out | 0 | – | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 14 | ||||
| Total | 8 wickets, 50 overs | 271 |
Zimbabwe’s innings was anchored by captain Sikandar Raza, who remained unbeaten on 81 from 72 balls. Craig Ervine added 59, while Innocent Kaia scored 55 before retiring hurt with a hamstring problem.
Australia Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Ellis | 10 | 0 | 50 | 3 | 5.00 |
| Spencer Johnson | 10 | 0 | 50 | 2 | 5.00 |
| Adam Zampa | 10 | 0 | 53 | 2 | 5.30 |
| Xavier Bartlett | 10 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 5.10 |
| Mitchell Marsh | 5 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Cooper Connolly | 5 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 8.40 |
Nathan Ellis was Australia’s leading wicket-taker with 3/50 from 10 overs. Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa claimed two wickets each.
Zimbabwe Build a Competitive Total
Zimbabwe started positively through Brian Bennett, who scored 30 from 29 balls with five fours and a six. Ben Curran made 7 before Spencer Johnson removed him. Innocent Kaia then played a valuable innings of 55 from 66 balls. He struck seven boundaries before retiring hurt with a hamstring injury while Zimbabwe were 148/3. His departure forced Zimbabwe to adjust their batting plans during an important part of the innings.
Craig Ervine continued the rebuilding work with a patient 59 from 79 deliveries. His innings included five fours and helped Zimbabwe maintain a reasonable scoring rate. Raza then provided the late acceleration. His unbeaten 81 from 72 balls included seven fours and a six. His innings helped Zimbabwe reach 271/8, giving Australia a target that looked challenging enough to create pressure in the second innings.
Australia Lose Early Wickets
Australia’s chase began with immediate pressure. Travis Head was dismissed for 6, while captain Mitchell Marsh fell for 8. Cooper Connolly scored 21 from 39 balls before being dismissed, leaving Australia needing stability in the middle overs. Josh Inglis provided exactly that. The wicketkeeper-batter combined controlled strokeplay with aggressive shots and gradually took Australia’s chase forward. Alex Carey supported him with 34 from 30 balls. Their partnership helped Australia recover from the early setbacks before Carey was dismissed by Zimbabwe.
Josh Inglis Hits a Match-Winning Century
Inglis produced the outstanding batting performance of the match. He scored 103 from 102 balls, hitting 11 fours, and became the backbone of Australia’s chase. His century was particularly important because wickets continued to fall at the other end. Matt Renshaw scored 4, Oliver Peake made 19 and Xavier Bartlett contributed 3. Inglis was eventually dismissed for 103 with Australia still needing a significant number of runs. His departure opened the door for a dramatic final phase.
Full Australia Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Marsh | caught wicketkeeper | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Travis Head | caught | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Cooper Connolly | bowled | 21 | 39 | 1 | 0 |
| Josh Inglis | bowled | 103 | 102 | 11 | 0 |
| Alex Carey | caught | 34 | 30 | 4 | 0 |
| Matt Renshaw | bowled | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Oliver Peake | lbw | 19 | 32 | 1 | 0 |
| Xavier Bartlett | lbw | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Nathan Ellis | not out | 36 | 44 | 2 | 0 |
| Adam Zampa | caught | 9 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Spencer Johnson | not out | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 22 | ||||
| Total | 9 wickets, 49.5 overs | 272 |
Australia’s innings contained 13 wides, five byes and four leg-byes. Inglis top-scored with 103, while Ellis remained unbeaten on 36.
Zimbabwe Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blessing Muzarabani | 10 | 1 | 49 | 0 | 4.90 |
| Brad Evans | 10 | 0 | 47 | 4 | 4.70 |
| Ernest Masuku | 5 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 7.60 |
| Graeme Cremer | 9 | 0 | 53 | 2 | 5.89 |
| Sikandar Raza | 10 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 4.20 |
| Wessly Madhevere | 5.5 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 5.82 |
Brad Evans Keeps Zimbabwe Alive
Brad Evans gave Zimbabwe a genuine chance of winning the match. His four-wicket haul repeatedly put Australia under pressure. Graeme Cremer also made an important contribution with two wickets, while Raza picked up two wickets including the crucial dismissal of Inglis. Australia eventually slipped to 246/9, leaving Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson as the final pair. At that stage, Australia needed 27 runs from 27 deliveries. Zimbabwe were extremely close to an unforgettable victory.
Nathan Ellis Produces an Incredible Finish
Nathan Ellis had already taken three wickets earlier in the match, but his most important contribution came with the bat. He remained unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls and was joined by number 11 Spencer Johnson, who scored 7 not out from 13 deliveries. The pair calmly collected the runs needed to keep Australia alive. The biggest turning point came when Wessly Madhevere dropped Ellis in the penultimate over. Zimbabwe had a chance to finish the match, but the missed opportunity allowed Australia to remain in contention.
Nathan Ellis Produces an Incredible Finish
Nathan Ellis had already taken three wickets earlier in the match, but his most important contribution came with the bat. He remained unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls and was joined by number 11 Spencer Johnson, who scored 7 not out from 13 deliveries. The pair calmly collected the runs needed to keep Australia alive. The biggest turning point came when Wessly Madhevere dropped Ellis in the penultimate over. Zimbabwe had a chance to finish the match, but the missed opportunity allowed Australia to remain in contention.
Final Over Drama
The ZIM vs AUS 3rd ODI 2026 reached its climax in the final over. Australia needed nine runs from the last six balls. Ellis took the strike and immediately smashed Madhevere over long-on for six. He then took a single, leaving Johnson to face the fourth delivery. Johnson collected another single to level the scores. With one run still required, Ellis returned to strike. He clipped the ball towards midwicket and completed the winning run. Australia reached 272/9 after 49.5 overs and won by one wicket with one ball remaining.
Player of the Match: Josh Inglis
Josh Inglis was named Player of the Match after his brilliant 103 from 102 balls. His century was the foundation of Australia’s chase and kept the visitors within touching distance of Zimbabwe’s target despite regular wickets falling around him. Nathan Ellis also deserves special recognition for his all-round contribution. He took 3/50 with the ball and then scored an unbeaten 36 under enormous pressure.
Series Result: Australia Win 3-0
The ZIM vs AUS 3rd ODI 2026 ended with Australia winning the match by one wicket and completing a 3-0 ODI series sweep. Australia had already won the first two matches, but the third ODI was by far the closest contest. Zimbabwe came within one wicket of recording a famous victory but could not defend nine runs in the final over.
Cooper Connolly was named Player of the Series after his contributions throughout the three-match series. For Zimbabwe, the match provided plenty of positives despite the defeat. Raza’s 81, Ervine’s 59, Kaia’s 55 and Evans’ four-wicket haul put Australia under serious pressure.
For Australia, the victory showed their ability to survive a difficult situation. Inglis’ century gave them the platform, while Ellis and Johnson completed one of the most dramatic ODI finishes of the tour. The ZIM vs AUS 3rd ODI 2026 will ultimately be remembered for the extraordinary final-wicket partnership, Inglis’ century, Zimbabwe’s missed opportunity and Australia’s one-wicket escape.
