Cricket news 2026: Australia vs Zimbabwe first ODI, Matt Renshaw century; Brendan Taylor breaks Sachin Tendular record; Travis Head wicket video

Zimbabwe veteran Brendan Taylor wound back the clock with a screamer to dismiss Josh Inglis before Matt Renshaw hit a much-needed ton as Australia returned to Harare and won the first ODI of the series by 59 runs.

At 40 years old, Taylor walked out and broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for longest serving one-day cricketer, making it 22 years and four months in the format.

Taylor made his ODI debut back in 2004 against Sri Lanka. Tendulkar’s record was 22 years and three months.

The match in Harare also marked Mitchell Marsh’s 100th ODI with the all-rounder captaining Australia and electing to bat at the toss.

Marsh was without Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green in his XI. Cricket Australia said Hazlewood was being managed, while Green had shoulder soreness.

Australia’s innings didn’t start well as Travis Head (4) was sent back to the pavilion in the second over after chopping on from Brad Evans’ bowling.

“This is becoming quite a common dismissal for Travis Head,” Jason Gillespie said on the Fox Cricket broadcast.

Marsh raced to 36 off 28 deliveries, before he was caught by Brian Bennett off Newman Nyamhuri’s bowling.

Inglis could only make four but then became Nyamhuri’s second victim when Taylor caught a one-handed screamer behind the stumps to make it 3-83.

At the other end, young gun Cooper Connolly was making his mark but on 41 he was dropped by Bennett at mid-wicket off Nyamhuri’s bowling.

The chance was hit hard and above Bennett’s head but an opportunity for Zimbabwe.

It looked like Connolly was gone the next over for 44 off Sikandar Raza’s bowling when he edged behind. However, the umpire called him for a no-ball with the replay showing the off-spinner was well over the line.

The next delivery, Connolly hit for six to bring up his half-century.

In a chaotic over, Raza’s fourth legal delivery bamboozled Connolly and bowled him, with the 23-year-old gone for 51.

In the 24th over, Raza had Matt Renshaw dropped at mid-wicket on 12 by Craig Ervine, but that was also called a no-ball.

Alex Carey was next to go for 27, caught off Evans’ bowling. That brought promising talent Ollie Peake to the crease.

Peake looked solid for his 30 before he stepped on his stumps and was out hit wicket off Nyamhuri’s bowling.

Xavier Bartlett (5) was also caught off Nyamhuri’s bowling as Australia’s batters struggled to stick with Renshaw.

The left-hander eventually brought up the ton in the 48th over with a single through backward point off an Evans full toss.

The century came off 86 balls and is Renshaw’s first in ODI cricket.

“What’s been really impressive is the tempo,” Gillespie said.

“He’s been able to change gears and score at a really decent clip as well … it’s been an excellent knock.”

Renshaw’s century comes after he was recalled to Australia’s Test side for the last match against Bangladesh in August.

The centurion was dismissed for 109 in the final over, caught in the outfield to hand Nyamhuri his maiden five-wicket haul.

Australia finished 8-294 from 50 overs.

Zimbabwe chased valiantly but finished 59 runs short, bowled out in the 45th over.

Nathan Ellis was the pick of the bowlers with 5-31.