Inglis Century and Ellis’ Late Heroics Help Australia Escape Zimbabwe Scare

Australia completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep over Zimbabwe, but the final match in Harare was anything but comfortable. The visitors survived a late collapse to defeat Zimbabwe by one wicket after successfully chasing 272 with a ball remaining.

Josh Inglis played the defining innings during Australia's chase, scoring 103 from 102 deliveries. However, it was Nathan Ellis who ultimately became the match-winner, holding his nerve with an unbeaten 36 after Australia slipped to 245/9.

Zimbabwe Post a Competitive Total

Zimbabwe were asked to bat first and recovered from a difficult start to post 271/8 in their 50 overs. Their total gave the hosts a genuine opportunity to finish the series with a victory.

Ben Curran and Brian Bennett fell cheaply during the opening overs, while Brendan Taylor made only nine. Zimbabwe were reduced to 68/3 before Innocent Kaia and Craig Ervine began rebuilding the innings.

Kaia and Ervine Rebuild the Innings

Kaia and Ervine added 80 runs for the fourth wicket, giving Zimbabwe stability after the early setbacks. Kaia reached his half-century but was forced to retire hurt on 55 because of a hamstring problem.

Ervine continued the recovery alongside Sikandar Raza, with the pair adding another 61 runs. Ervine eventually fell for 59 while attempting to accelerate the scoring rate.

Raza Produces Another Important Innings

Sikandar Raza once again played a central role for Zimbabwe. The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 81 from 72 balls, finding boundaries at crucial stages and helping the hosts finish with a total of 271/8.

Raza's innings continued his excellent series with the bat. He finished the three-match contest as Zimbabwe's leading run-scorer with 183 runs.

Ellis Makes an Impact With the Ball

Nathan Ellis was Australia's most successful bowler, taking 3/50 from his 10 overs. His wickets prevented Zimbabwe from producing an even bigger total during the closing stages.

Ellis would later become the central figure in Australia's dramatic chase, making his contribution in both innings particularly valuable.

Australia Lose Both Openers Early

Australia's chase got off to a difficult beginning. Travis Head was dismissed for six before Mitchell Marsh followed for eight, both wickets coming within the first four overs.

Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis then steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership. Connolly eventually fell for 21, leaving Inglis to continue the chase with Alex Carey.

Inglis and Carey Stabilise the Chase

Inglis found an important partner in Alex Carey. The pair added 85 runs for the fourth wicket and moved Australia beyond the halfway stage of the chase.

Carey played positively for his 34 before Brad Evans returned to dismiss him. From there, Australia's chase became increasingly unpredictable as Zimbabwe began taking wickets at regular intervals.

Inglis Reaches a Crucial Century

Despite wickets falling around him, Inglis remained composed. He brought up his century with a reverse sweep for four and eventually reached 103 from 102 balls.

His innings contained the bulk of Australia's resistance and appeared to have placed the visitors on course for victory. However, Inglis was bowled by Sikandar Raza for 103 with Australia on 227/8, leaving the match wide open.

Australia Collapse at the Finish

After Inglis departed, Australia lost further wickets. Adam Zampa became the ninth batter dismissed, leaving the visitors still 27 runs short of victory with only Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson remaining.

Zimbabwe suddenly had a realistic chance of completing a famous upset. Their fielders continued to create pressure, but one missed opportunity would prove costly.

Madhevere Drops a Crucial Chance

Wessly Madhevere had already produced an outstanding fielding moment earlier in the match, but he was unable to hold on to a difficult chance offered by Ellis during the penultimate over.

The dropped opportunity allowed Ellis to remain at the crease and gave Australia another chance to complete the chase. Zimbabwe were left needing one more breakthrough to secure victory.

Ellis Finishes the Match in Style

Australia entered the final over needing nine runs. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza handed the ball to Madhevere, but Ellis immediately attacked the first delivery.

Ellis launched the ball over long-on for six, reducing the requirement to three from five balls. Two deliveries later, he took a single to complete Australia's chase with one wicket in hand.

Australia Win With One Ball Remaining

Australia finished on 272/9 after 49.5 overs, winning by one wicket. Ellis remained unbeaten on 36, while Spencer Johnson stayed with him at the other end as the visitors escaped a tense finish.

The victory completed a 3-0 series sweep for Australia, although Zimbabwe came extremely close to securing what would have been a memorable final-match victory.

Brad Evans Leads Zimbabwe's Bowling

Brad Evans was Zimbabwe's most successful bowler, finishing with 4/47. His wickets kept the hosts in the contest during Australia's middle and lower-order collapse.

Evans removed Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Zampa and another Australian batter during the chase, but Ellis and Johnson ultimately prevented Zimbabwe from completing the victory.

Zimbabwe Show Fight Despite Series Defeat

The result was another defeat for Zimbabwe in the series, but their performance in the final ODI demonstrated how competitive they could be against Australia.

After Australia won the first ODI by 59 runs and the second by 84 runs, Zimbabwe pushed the visitors all the way in the third match. The final margin of one wicket reflected how close the contest became.

Australia Complete a 3-0 Sweep

Australia finished the three-match series with three victories. Nathan Ellis ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with nine wickets, while Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza topped their batting charts with 183 runs.

Josh Inglis also finished strongly, ending the series with 128 runs, including his match-winning century in the final ODI.

Match Summary

Zimbabwe scored 271/8 in 50 overs, with Sikandar Raza unbeaten on 81, Craig Ervine making 59 and Innocent Kaia scoring 55 before retiring hurt. Nathan Ellis claimed 3/50.

Australia chased the target by reaching 272/9 in 49.5 overs. Josh Inglis scored 103 from 102 balls, while Nathan Ellis remained unbeaten on 36. Brad Evans took 4/47, but Australia won by one wicket to complete a 3-0 series sweep.