Sports Correspondent
Matt Renshaw scored his maiden One-Day International century while Nathan Ellis claimed five wickets as Australia beat Zimbabwe by 59 runs in the opening ODI at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Australia, sent in to bat, posted 294 for eight from their 50 overs before bowling Zimbabwe out for 235 in 45.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Renshaw was the cornerstone of Australia’s innings, making 109 from 94 balls after the visitors had slipped to 107 for four.
The 30-year-old left-hander struck seven fours and three sixes, putting on 72 runs with Alex Carey and another 75 with youngster Ollie Peake to steer Australia towards a competitive total.
His century was Australia’s first ODI hundred against Zimbabwe since Michael Clarke’s unbeaten 105 in Harare in 2004.
Renshaw also became the first Australian to score an ODI century from No. 6 or lower since Glenn Maxwell’s 201-run innings against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup.
Cooper Connolly also made a valuable contribution with 51, helping Australia recover from a difficult start.
Zimbabwe’s 20-year-old fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri was the standout performer with the ball, taking five wickets for 62 runs.
Nyamhuri became only the second Zimbabwean bowler to claim a five-wicket haul against Australia in men’s ODIs.
Chasing 295, Zimbabwe were soon in trouble at 62 for four before Craig Ervine and captain Sikandar Raza revived the innings with a 98-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Ervine made 59, while Raza scored 57, but their efforts were not enough to keep Zimbabwe on course for victory.
Ellis returned to the attack at a crucial stage and quickly removed Ervine, before taking three more wickets to finish with career-best ODI figures of five for 31 from 9.1 overs.
Spencer Johnson also played a key role, dismissing Raza for 57 as Zimbabwe’s chase lost momentum.
The defeat leaves Zimbabwe needing to win the second ODI on Friday to keep the series alive. The final match will be played on Sunday, with all three games being held at Harare Sports Club.
Brief scores:
Australia 294-8 (50 overs): Matt Renshaw 109, Cooper Connolly 51; Newman Nyamhuri 5-62.
Zimbabwe 235 (45.1 overs): Craig Ervine 59, Sikandar Raza 57; Nathan Ellis 5-31.
Australia won by 59 runs.
