LIVESCORES MATCH REPORT

Zimbabwe vs Australia 3rd ODI preview: hosts seek response as Australia target series sweep

Australia carry a 2–0 lead into the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday, 20 September. Zimbabwe are playing to avoid a clean sweep, while Australia have one final match before continuing their tour in South Africa.

Published 19 Sep 2026, 13:33 SAST · Reviewed from saved match data

Travis Head batting in a county cricket match in 2021 — Travis Head, who scored 112 in the second ODI against Zimbabwe. Photo: Dave Morton via Wikimedia Commons; public domain.

Zimbabwe and Australia meet in the third and final ODI in Harare on Sunday, 20 September, with the visitors already holding an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series.

The final match is scheduled to start at 09:30 SAST at Harare Sports Club. Australia won the first ODI by 59 runs and followed that with an 84-run victory on Friday, meaning Zimbabwe can no longer win or draw the series.

The second ODI produced Australia's biggest ODI total against Zimbabwe. Travis Head made 112 from 84 balls, Mitchell Marsh added 53 and Cooper Connolly scored 78 as Australia reached 356/6 from their 50 overs. Ollie Peake then contributed an unbeaten 41 from 18 balls late in the innings. Cricket Australia's match report records the 84-run win and confirms that the result secured the series at 2–0.

Zimbabwe were dismissed for 272 in 48.3 overs. Sikandar Raza top-scored with 45, while Brendan Taylor made 39 and Craig Ervine 38. Adam Zampa also reached 200 men's ODI wickets during the innings.

Sikandar Raza playing for Zimbabwe at the 2022 T20 World Cup — Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe's captain for the Australia ODI series. Photo: Storm machine via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Zimbabwe need a more complete response

The hosts have had useful individual contributions in both matches but have not yet produced enough across an entire innings to beat Australia. In the series opener, Craig Ervine scored 59 and Raza 57 in a 98-run partnership, but Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235 while chasing 295. Nathan Ellis took 5/31 after Matt Renshaw's 109 had led Australia to 294/8. Reuters' report on the first ODI details those performances.

For Zimbabwe, Sunday's match is therefore an opportunity to finish the series with a result rather than a chance to change the series winner. Australia, meanwhile, can complete a 3–0 sweep before moving on to the South African leg of their tour.

Australia have selection questions before Sunday

Fast bowler Billy Stanlake left the field during the second ODI after suffering a side injury. Cricket Australia reported that he was expected to undergo scans on Saturday and indicated that his tour was in doubt. Cameron Green, who had been dealing with a sore shoulder, was described as a possible return for the third ODI.

Those circumstances could affect Australia's XI, but no change should be treated as confirmed until the teams are announced. Josh Hazlewood returned for the second ODI and took 2/48.

What it means and what happens next

The series itself is settled, but Sunday's match still matters for both sides. Zimbabwe can avoid a home whitewash, while Australia can carry winning momentum into their next assignment.

According to Cricket Australia's tour schedule, Australia travel to South Africa after the Zimbabwe series. Their first ODI against the Proteas is scheduled for 24 September at Kingsmead in Durban, followed by matches in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.

For South African followers, that makes the Harare finale a useful last look at Australia's ODI form before they arrive for the three-match series against the Proteas.