Daijiworld Media Network - Harare
Harare, Sep 21: Australia completed a clean sweep of their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe after a dramatic three-wicket victory in the final match in Harare, with Nathan Ellis and No. 11 Spencer Johnson holding their nerve to secure a 27-run 10th-wicket partnership.
Zimbabwe, playing their final international at home for the remainder of 2026, appeared to have the match under control at several stages after posting their second-highest ODI total against Australia. However, they could not close out the contest despite reducing Australia to 245 for 9 in the chase.
Australia were cruising at 162 for 3 in the 26th over before Brad Evans dismissed Alex Carey, triggering a dramatic collapse. Josh Inglis, who scored his second ODI century, kept the visitors in the hunt but was dismissed with Australia still 45 runs short.
Ellis then produced a composed unbeaten 36 to guide Australia home alongside Johnson. Ellis had earlier taken three wickets for 50 runs, while Johnson contributed with two wickets.
Inglis' century continued Australia's strong batting performance throughout the series. He became the third Australian to score a hundred in the three-match series after Matt Renshaw and Travis Head.
Zimbabwe's innings was built around half-centuries from Sikandar Raza and Craig Ervine, while Innocent Kaia also made an important contribution before retiring hurt on 55 with a suspected hamstring injury. Kaia and Ervine had added 80 runs for the fourth wicket to put Zimbabwe in a strong position.
Zimbabwe were 148 for 3 when Kaia retired, but the innings lost momentum thereafter. Ervine, on 59, attempted to accelerate with 10 overs remaining but was caught at long-on, triggering a collapse of four wickets for 22 runs.
Raza eventually finished unbeaten on 81 to take Zimbabwe to a competitive total, but the hosts were left short of the 300-run mark they had been targeting.
Zimbabwe also had opportunities to regain control in the field. Wessly Madhevere dropped Inglis when he was on 48, although he later took an excellent catch to dismiss Carey. Madhevere then spilled another chance off Ellis in the penultimate over.
With Australia needing nine runs from the final six balls, Raza handed the ball to Madhevere despite Graeme Cremer having an over remaining. Ellis struck the first delivery for six, effectively ending Zimbabwe's hopes and leaving Madhevere visibly distraught.
Australia's chase had begun poorly, with Evans dismissing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in his first two overs to reduce the visitors to 25 for 2. Inglis responded with aggressive strokeplay and combined with Carey for an 85-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Zimbabwe fought back after Australia reached 203 for 5. Raza dismissed Ollie Peake and Cremer removed Xavier Bartlett in successive overs. Muzarabani then created further pressure but remained wicketless throughout the series.
Inglis reached his century from 94 balls with a strong sweep against Cremer, but was bowled by Raza in the 42nd over with Australia still 45 runs away from victory.
The result capped a difficult series for Zimbabwe, who had several promising moments but were unable to convert them into a win. Raza and Ervine were their leading run-scorers across the series, while Zimbabwe also had two of the three leading wicket-takers.