On Tuesday, the 15th of September, Australia brought forth their World Cup-winning persona to play, registering a comprehensive win against Zimbabwe in Harare in the first of three ODI games. Matt Renshaw was the name on every tongue as he scored his maiden one-day international century, surpassing his previous best of 61 to set up a predictable Aussie win.
Australia won the toss and posted 294-8 in the first of the nine-match ODI and Test tour of southern Africa. Zimbabwe were all out for 235 in reply with 4.5 overs remaining. Quick Nathan Ellis was also a standout performer for the visitors, taking a career-best 5-31, including top Zimbabwe scorer Craig Ervine (59) and opener Brian Bennett (25).
Matt Renshaw’s Century Stand Sets up an Aussie Win
Entering with the visitors 107-4, Matt Renshaw stamped his authority over the Harare pitch with an impressive tally of 109 runs comprised of big hits and deft running between the wickets. Matt Renshaw’s one international century came in a Sydney Test against Pakistan in January 2017.
Batting at No. 6 in only his 10th ODI match, Matt Renshaw hit 49 singles, seven twos, three sixes and seven fours in his century stand. His 94-ball innings ended when he skied a delivery from seamer Newman Nyamhuri, handing the catch to Wessly Madhevere at midwicket.
Renshaw was involved in the most profitable Aussie partnerships, putting on 72 with Alex Carey (27) and 75 with 19-year-old Oliver Peake (30). “I just tried to rebuild the innings. We lost a few wickets (after) the boys started really well,” said Renshaw, who won the player-of-the-match award. “I did not feel under any scoring pressure. It was really nice. Pitch was nice. Ten years between international hundreds was not something I was expecting,” he added.
The Kangaroos Put Up a Dominant Display
After the dismissal of Travis Head for 4 runs, Cooper Connolly began his innings, securing his second ODI half-century. He scored 51 runs, which included three sixes and four fours. However, he was unable to read a good length ball from Zimbabwe skipper and all-rounder Sikandar Raza, leading to his stump getting uprooted.
The standout bowler for Zimbabwe on this occasion was twenty-year-old Nyamhuri, producing a career-best 5-62 in nine overs. After Zimbabwe slumped to 62-4 Craig Ervine (59) and Raza (57) added 98 runs for the fifth wicket. Ellis and Spencer Johnson dismissed Ervine and Raza respectively.
After the Zimbabwe series concludes on Sunday, Australia travel to South Africa, where they will play three ODIs from September 24, then three Tests.
Also Read: ZIM vs AUS: Matt Renshaw’s Superlative Ton Sinks Zimbabwe