Reviewed by Praise Dumi DhlakamaZimbabwe sports betting writer
Published 16 September 2026
Newman Nyamhuri took five wickets for 62 and Zimbabwe still lost the first one day international against Australia at Harare Sports Club by 59 runs.
Australia batted first on Tuesday and made 294 for eight in their fifty overs. Matt Renshaw scored 109 from 94 balls for his first hundred in one day internationals, coming in down the order after Cooper Connolly had made 51 and captain Mitchell Marsh 36.
Nyamhuri was the reason the total stayed inside 300. He finished with five wickets for 62 from nine overs.
Ervine and Raza kept the chase alive
Zimbabwe were 235 all out in 45.1 overs. Craig Ervine made 59 from 60 balls and Sikandar Raza 57 from 76, and for a while their stand had the required rate under control. Once it was broken the innings folded quickly.
Nathan Ellis did most of the breaking. He took five wickets for 31 from 9.1 overs, his first five wicket return in the format. Renshaw took the player of the match award for the century.
Two matches left at the same ground
Australia lead the series one nil with the second and third matches at Harare Sports Club on 18 and 20 September. For Zimbabwe the series is preparation as much as competition: the country is one of the hosts of the 2027 World Cup and will play a full tournament on these grounds in October and November next year.
That is the context worth keeping in view. A 59 run defeat to a side of this quality is not the story. What the selectors will take from Tuesday is that a young seamer took five wickets against Australia and that the two senior batters can still build a partnership under pressure.
Where to bet: Africabet and Betway, both licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Board, carry Chevrons markets with prices in United States dollars on match winner, top batsman and total runs. Prices on the second match will move once the pitch from Tuesday is read, because a surface that gave a seamer five wickets is priced differently from one that did not. Compare the two books before you take a line. Our guide to the best betting sites in Zimbabwe covers licensing and withdrawal times, and there is more in Zimbabwe cricket news from AXN Sports. 18+. Gamble responsibly.
