Australia take 2-0 lead into third ODI at Harare Sports Club on September 20, 2026
Australia and Zimbabwe meet in the third ODI of the Zimbabwe vs Australia ODI Series at Harare Sports Club on September 20, 2026, with the game scheduled to start at 1 PM IST; Australia lead the series 2-0.
Australia won the opening two matches of the series, driven by strong batting displays that included their highest ODI total against Zimbabwe in the most recent game. Travis Head scored 112 off 84 balls, Mitchell Marsh made 53, and Cooper Connolly hit 78 off 69 to record his second consecutive fifty. Zimbabwe have produced two below-par performances so far, their bowling described as underperforming, and the side is noted as missing Richard Ngarava.
The weather forecast for Harare predicts a humid day, with a maximum temperature around 27°C and average humidity between 23 and 27 per cent. The wicket has played well in both earlier matches, with batters finding it easier to hit through the line and consistent pace aiding scoring. The surface has tended to slow in the second innings, making shot-making harder late, which is why batting first is suggested as a favourable option.
Zimbabwe's listed XI is Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor (wk), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (c), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani. Australia's listed XI is Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Billy Stanlake. Captains noted in the squads are Sikandar Raza for Zimbabwe and Mitchell Marsh for Australia, with Brendan Taylor and Josh Inglis identified as wicketkeepers for their teams.
Suggested Dream11 groupings provided include batters Mitch Marsh, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine and Travis Head; all-rounders Matt Renshaw, Brad Evans, Sikandar Raza and Cooper Connolly; and bowlers Nathan Ellis and Newman Nyamhuri. One captain/vice-captain pairing lists Travis Head as Captain First-Choice and Nathan Ellis as Captain Second-Choice, with Matt Renshaw as Vice-Captain First-Choice and Newman Nyamhuri as Vice-Captain Second-Choice. An alternate suggestion expands the batter list to include Oliver Peake and offers Cooper Connolly or Sikandar Raza as captain options with Mitch Marsh or Brad Evans as vice-captain options.
Historically in the matchup, Australia have now won 31 ODIs against Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe have won 3 out of 35 and one game was called off. The preview notes Zimbabwe lack the experience of beating big teams and states, "Hence, we back Australia to win the final ODI."
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