Renshaw and Ellis propel Australia to 59-run win over Zimbabwe

Australia started their ODI series against Zimbabwe in style, as Matt Renshaw’s ton propelled them to a 59-run win.

Renshaw brought up his first ODI century as he plundered 109 runs from 94 deliveries at Harare Sports Club.

Nathan Ellis then took over with the ball, taking career-best figures of 5-31 as Australia bowled their hosts out for 235.

Brad Evans (2-51) got Zimbabwe off to a fine start when he bowled Travis Head (8) in the second over.

However, Australia reached 60 before Mitchell Marsh (36) was dismissed by Newman Nyamhuri, who took an impressive 5-62.

Cooper Connolly’s 51 set the stage for Renshaw to come to the fore, as he let rip with 10 boundaries in an ultimately match-winning innings, guiding Australia to 294-8 from their 50 overs.

Ben Curran (0), Innocent Kaia (18), Brian Bennett (25) and Brendan Taylor (4) all fell within the first 14 overs of Zimbabwe’s chase, though Craig Ervine (59) and Sikandar Raza (57) got the hosts on track.

Yet Ellis grabbed the crucial wicket of Ervine, and ultimately, Zimbabwe could not recover from there.

A 98-run partnership is broken by Nathan Ellis

Craig Ervine departs for 61

Zimbabwe are 160/5 after 30.3 overs, they need 135 runs in 117 balls with five wickets in hand#ZIMvAUS #ExperienceZimbabwe  https://t.co/TnkvVrv1ik pic.twitter.com/9WTwkDEoJf

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 15, 2026

Zimbabwe’s milestone makers

The day might have belonged to Australia’s match-winners Renshaw and Ellis, but there were some big moments for Zimbabwe players at the opposite ends of their careers.

Nyamhuri’s figures were career-best, and he became the youngest Zimbabwe player to take an ODI five-for in the process, at the age of 20 years and 239 days.

Taylor, meanwhile, is now officially an ODI record holder.

The 40-year-old has now had an ODI career spanning 22 years and 148 days, which surpasses Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record when it comes to a long career in the 50-over game.

Zimbabwe gave a valiant effort, but they had only ever successfully chased down higher totals on five occasions. It was always a tough ask.