Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe will be looking to level the three-match ODI series against Australia when the two sides meet at Harare Sports Club on Friday, with the visitors considering changes after taking a 1-0 lead in the opening match.
Australia won Tuesday’s first ODI by 59 runs after Matt Renshaw struck his maiden ODI century to help the visitors post 294 for eight. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235 despite a five-wicket haul from left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri.
The visitors are likely to welcome back Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood for the second match. Green missed the opening game with a shoulder issue, while Hazlewood was rested.
Their inclusion would strengthen Australia’s bowling and batting options. Australia lacked some power in the death overs in the first match, while Green’s return to the middle order could provide greater depth alongside Renshaw.
Green’s bowling would also give Australia greater variety and wicket-taking ability in the overs that make up their fifth-bowler allocation, an area that was exposed during Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza’s partnership.
Hazlewood, meanwhile, would add greater threat with the new ball and potentially allow Australia to make better use of Ellis and Adam Zampa outside the powerplay.
Renshaw’s century has also added to Australia’s selection options as players compete for places ahead of next year’s 50-over World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.
Renshaw’s 109 was his first international century in almost a decade and came after he was recalled to Australia’s ODI set-up. Cooper Connolly also made an impact in the opening match, scoring 51 from 46 balls.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will take encouragement from the fight they showed despite falling short.
Nyamhuri’s five wickets were a major positive, while captain Raza and the top order will be expected to make greater contributions with the bat if the hosts are to challenge Australia.
Raza is leading Zimbabwe in the absence of regular ODI captain Richard Ngarava, who is recovering from a lower-back injury. Tanaka Chivanga is also unavailable because of an Achilles injury, while wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande is missing from the squad.
The hosts have, however, added experience with the return of Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer, alongside established campaigners Raza and Craig Ervine.
Zimbabwe also rued some indiscipline with the ball in the opening match. Loose deliveries throughout the innings allowed Australia off the hook despite mistakes from their top order.
The hosts will want their new-ball bowlers to return to the blueprint they followed during their T20 World Cup win over Australia in Colombo, when they strangled the Australian batters.
They conceded 13 wides, while Raza bowled three no-balls, with two of the resulting free-hits disappearing over the fence. Their catching was also inconsistent.
The series is part of Australia’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup, while Zimbabwe are using the matches to test themselves against top-level opposition ahead of the tournament on home soil.
Friday’s match is scheduled for a 9.30am start at Harare Sports Club, with the third and final ODI set for Sunday at the same venue.
Australia lead the series 1-0 and need one more victory to secure the series, while Zimbabwe must win on Friday to force a decider.
