Zimbabwe vs Australia 3rd ODI 2026: Australia Win by 1 Wicket, Complete 3-0 Series Sweep

Australia completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep over Zimbabwe after surviving a dramatic final-over finish in the third and final ODI at Harare Sports Club on September 20, 2026. Australia chased down Zimbabwe’s 271/8 with one wicket remaining and one ball to spare, completing a tense victory that looked far from certain for much of the second innings.

Josh Inglis played the central role in Australia’s chase with a superb 103 from 102 balls, his second ODI century. But after Inglis was dismissed, Australia continued to lose wickets and were eventually reduced to nine down. Nathan Ellis then produced a match-defining all-round performance, taking 3/50 with the ball before returning to score an unbeaten 36 from 44 balls.

Zimbabwe had earlier posted 271/8 after choosing to bat first. Sikandar Raza led from the front with an unbeaten 81 from 72 balls, while Craig Ervine and Innocent Kaia also made half-centuries.

Match Details

Australia’s victory completed a clean sweep after they had won the opening ODI by 59 runs and the second match by 84 runs.

Match Result and Scorecard

Zimbabwe made 271/8 in 50 overs, setting Australia a target of 272.

Australia reached 272/9 in 49.5 overs, winning by one wicket with one delivery remaining.

Zimbabwe Batting

Australia Bowling

Australia Batting

Zimbabwe Bowling

The scorecard figures and final result show how closely contested the game became despite Australia’s eventual victory.

What Happened in the Match?

Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat first at Harare Sports Club. Their innings was built around contributions from the top and middle order, with Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine and captain Sikandar Raza all making significant scores.

Kaia scored 55 from 66 balls before retiring hurt with a hamstring problem when Zimbabwe reached 148/3. Ervine then contributed 59 from 79 balls, while Raza remained unbeaten on 81 from 72 balls to carry Zimbabwe towards a competitive total.

Australia’s bowling attack was led by Ellis, who finished with three wickets for 50 runs from his 10 overs. Spencer Johnson also claimed two wickets as Zimbabwe finished on 271/8 from their allotted 50 overs.

The target of 272 appeared achievable for Australia, but Zimbabwe made the chase increasingly difficult by taking wickets at regular intervals.

First Innings: Zimbabwe Post 271/8

Zimbabwe’s innings had several important contributions rather than one dominant hundred.

Innocent Kaia’s 55 provided a strong platform before his injury forced him to retire hurt. Craig Ervine followed with 59, while Raza played the finishing role with an unbeaten 81 from 72 deliveries.

Raza’s unbeaten innings was particularly important because Zimbabwe needed runs late in the innings after losing wickets around him. His ability to remain at the crease gave the hosts a total that put Australia under pressure during the chase.

Ellis was Australia’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets. His figures of 3/50 were followed by two wickets from Spencer Johnson, while the rest of Australia’s attack shared the remaining wickets.

Zimbabwe’s 271/8 gave them a realistic chance of avoiding a 3-0 series defeat.

Second Innings: Australia Survive a Dramatic Chase

Australia’s reply started with the pressure of chasing 272, but the top order could not provide the stability required.

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh were both dismissed early, leaving Australia to rebuild. Josh Inglis then became the key figure in the chase.

Inglis produced a superb 103 from 102 balls, striking 11 fours and scoring Australia’s most important innings of the match. His century kept Australia in the contest even as wickets continued to fall around him.

Once Inglis was dismissed, Australia were forced to rely on their lower order. The required target was still within reach, but Zimbabwe remained only a few wickets away from completing a memorable victory.

Eventually, Australia were reduced to their final wicket with 27 runs still required. That brought Nathan Ellis together with No. 11 Spencer Johnson.

The pair managed to score the required runs at roughly a run-a-ball. Ellis then took control of the final over, hitting a six from the first ball as Australia moved decisively towards the target.

Australia eventually reached 272/9 with one ball remaining, securing a one-wicket victory.

Key Turning Points

1. Zimbabwe’s Top-Order Contributions

Kaia and Ervine both scored half-centuries, while Raza remained unbeaten on 81. Their contributions prevented Zimbabwe from losing too many wickets early and helped establish a competitive total.

2. Josh Inglis Takes Charge

Inglis’ 103 was the foundation of Australia’s chase. With wickets falling at regular intervals, his century ensured Australia remained within striking distance of the target.

3. Australia Lose Wickets Around Inglis

Although Australia maintained the required scoring rate for much of the chase, the regular fall of wickets meant the visitors could not finish the game comfortably.

Inglis’ dismissal increased the pressure further and left the lower order with the responsibility of completing the chase.

4. Ellis Survives a Crucial Chance

Wessly Madhevere dropped Ellis in the penultimate over at a stage when Zimbabwe could have effectively closed out the match. Ellis survived and remained at the crease.

5. Ellis Finishes the Match

Zimbabwe needed to defend nine runs in the final over. Ellis hit a six from the first delivery and then helped Australia complete the chase with one ball remaining.

Top Batting Performances

Josh Inglis — 103 off 102 balls

Inglis’ century was the most substantial batting contribution of Australia’s chase. He struck 11 fours and held the innings together through a difficult middle phase.

His dismissal, however, left Australia vulnerable and set up the dramatic finish that followed.

Nathan Ellis — 36* off 44 balls

Ellis’ unbeaten 36 was arguably the most important late-order contribution of the match. With Australia nine wickets down, he stayed at the crease alongside Spencer Johnson and completed the chase.

Sikandar Raza — 81* off 72 balls

Raza was Zimbabwe’s leading batter and finished unbeaten on 81. His innings gave Zimbabwe the opportunity to set Australia a challenging target.

Craig Ervine — 59 off 79 balls

Ervine’s half-century was another important contribution to Zimbabwe’s total, particularly alongside the other established batters.

Top Bowling Performances

Nathan Ellis — 3/50

Ellis made an impact in both innings. He took three Zimbabwean wickets for 50 runs from his 10 overs before producing the match-winning batting contribution late in Australia’s chase.

Brad Evans — 4/47

Evans was Zimbabwe’s leading bowler, taking four wickets for 47 runs from 10 overs. His wickets kept Zimbabwe in contention throughout Australia’s chase.

Spencer Johnson — 2/50

Johnson claimed two wickets during Zimbabwe’s innings and later became Ellis’ partner during Australia’s tense final-wicket chase.

Player of the Match

The available match report confirms Nathan Ellis as one of the decisive performers, with 3/50 and an unbeaten 36 from 44 balls. However, the immediately available published match report does not independently state the official Player of the Match award.

Therefore, this report does not assign the award to Ellis without an independently verified official confirmation.

Why Australia Won

Australia’s victory came down to their ability to recover after losing wickets throughout the chase.

Inglis’ century provided the main batting platform, while Ellis’ late contribution proved decisive. The lower-order partnership between Ellis and Johnson produced the 27 runs Australia needed after the ninth wicket had fallen.

Australia also had Ellis’ three wickets from the first innings, meaning he contributed significantly with both bat and ball.

The final-over execution was decisive. Zimbabwe needed to defend nine runs, but Ellis’ six from the first ball immediately changed the equation and Australia completed the chase with one delivery remaining.

Where Zimbabwe Fell Short

Zimbabwe were close to producing a consolation victory but could not finish the game after reducing Australia to nine wickets.

The dropped chance offered to Ellis in the penultimate over proved costly. Zimbabwe also conceded nine runs in the final over when Australia needed exactly that amount to complete the chase.

At 271/8, Zimbabwe had put themselves in a position to challenge Australia, but the visitors’ lower order managed to keep the required scoring rate under control during the final stages.

Brad Evans’ four-wicket haul and the contributions from Zimbabwe’s top order were not enough to secure the victory.

Records and Milestones

Josh Inglis registered his second ODI century, scoring 103 from 102 deliveries.

Nathan Ellis also recorded his highest ODI score with an unbeaten 36, while his 3/50 completed a significant all-round contribution in the match.

The result also completed Australia’s 3-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe. Australia had won the first ODI by 59 runs and the second by 84 runs before securing the third match by one wicket.

What Happens Next?

Australia now move on to South Africa for a three-match ODI series, with the first match scheduled in Durban on Thursday following the Zimbabwe tour.

For Zimbabwe, the 3-0 defeat ends the ODI series against Australia after three consecutive losses, although the final match showed that the hosts could push the visitors deep into a contest.