Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe and Australia will renew their rivalry at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday when they begin a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series that both sides view as an important step towards the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The series gets underway on Tuesday, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for Friday and Sunday. All three matches will be played at Harare Sports Club, starting at 9.30am local time.
Australia arrive in Zimbabwe seeking redemption after the Chevrons stunned them with a 23-run victory at the 2026 T20 World Cup in February, a result that contributed to the Australians’ early exit from the tournament.
Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis says the three ODIs in Zimbabwe provide an important opportunity for players to strengthen their claims for places in the side that will defend Australia’s World Cup title next year.
Ellis, who is part of Australia’s 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe and South Africa tours, said the matches would also give Australia an opportunity to respond to recent setbacks against the Chevrons.
“We’ve played them a little bit now, and I guess you could say we’ve built up a little bit of a rivalry,” Ellis said.
“They’ve had the wood over us more recently at the T20 World Cup. So excited to not only try and get a little bit of redemption, but also start building towards the one-day World Cup.”
Ellis said Australia were not underestimating Zimbabwe, despite the disparity in the teams’ rankings and resources.
“There are no easy beats. I think people can have that perception at times, but it doesn’t feel that way in our changeroom,” he said.
Australia’s ODI squad includes captain Mitchell Marsh, Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have named a 15-member squad led by Sikandar Raza after regular ODI captain Richard Ngarava was ruled out with a lower-back injury.
The Chevrons have strengthened their squad with the return of experienced campaigners Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer.
Taylor returns to the ODI side after a year away and will share wicketkeeping duties with Tadiwanashe Marumani following Clive Madande’s injury. Cremer, who turns 40 this week, is set to make his first ODI appearance since 2018.
Zimbabwe will also be without fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
Raza, Craig Ervine, Taylor and Cremer give Zimbabwe a significant amount of experience, while the side will also rely on younger players such as Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Newman Nyamhuri.
Blessing Muzarabani is expected to lead the pace attack, with Brad Evans and Nyamhuri providing further seam options. Cremer and Wellington Masakadza offer specialist spin, while Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere add all-round ability.
The series carries added significance for Zimbabwe as the country continues preparations for the 2027 World Cup, which it will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
It will also be Australia’s first ODI visit to Zimbabwe in 12 years. The two sides last played an ODI in Zimbabwe during a triangular series involving South Africa in 2014, although they met in Australia in 2022.
Zimbabwe squad
Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza and Wessly Madhevere.
