Renshaw, Ellis put Australia 1-0 up

Australia 1‑0 up in the series

Matt Renshaw (109) and Nathan Ellis (5‑31) led Australia to a 59‑run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening ODI at Harare.

• Australia 294/8 (50 overs)

  • Matt Renshaw – 109 (maiden ODI century)
  • Cooper Connolly – 51
  • Newman Nyamhuri – 5‑62 (best bowler for Zimbabwe)

• Zimbabwe 235 all out (45.1 overs)

  • Craig Ervine – 59
  • Sikandar Raza – 57 (both over‑40, a first in ODI history)
  • Nathan Ellis – 5‑31 (first five‑wicket haul in international cricket)

Key moments

• Australia recovered after losing four wickets inside the first 18 overs. Mitchell Marsh and Cooper Connolly steadied the innings before Renshaw and Carey built a crucial partnership.
• Renshaw’s aggressive stroke‑play, including several sixes, propelled Australia past 250.
• Ellis struck early in Zimbabwe’s chase, taking wickets in his opening over and repeatedly breaking partnerships.
• A 100‑run stand between Raza and Ervine revived Zimbabwe’s hopes, but Ellis’s spell dismantled it, and an injury to Raza further dented the chase.
• Zimbabwe’s lower order fought back but fell short as Ellis completed his five‑for.

Result: Australia 294/8 beat Zimbabwe 235 by 59 runs, taking a 1‑0 lead in the series.