Australia began their nine-match tour of southern Africa with a 59-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI in Harare on Tuesday. Matt Renshaw starred with a maiden ODI century, scoring 109 off 94 balls to guide the world champions to 294-8 in 50 overs.
Coming in with Australia at 107-4, Renshaw rebuilt the innings with a composed knock featuring three sixes and seven fours. He added 72 with Alex Carey and 75 with 19-year-old Oliver Peake before being dismissed by Newman Nyamhuri.
Cooper Connolly also contributed with 51, while Nyamhuri impressed for Zimbabwe with a career-best 5-62.
Zimbabwe’s chase started poorly as they slipped to 62-4, but Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza revived the innings with a 98-run partnership. Ervine scored 59 and Raza 57 before Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson broke the stand.
Ellis claimed a career-best 5-31, including the crucial wickets of Ervine and Raza, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235 in 45.1 overs.
Renshaw was named Player of the Match.
Brief scores
Australia 294-8 in 50 overs (M. Renshaw 109, C. Connolly 51; N. Nyamhuri 5-62)
Zimbabwe 235 in 45.1 overs (C. Ervine 59, S. Raza 57; N. Ellis 5-31)