ZIM vs AUS Match Prediction : 1st ODI, Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026

Australia will begin their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday. The series is particularly important for Australia as it forms part of their preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Australia have not been at their best in ODI cricket, winning only 13 of their last 28 matches, and they suffered series defeats against Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier this year. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have plenty of confidence after beating Bangladesh in their most recent ODI series and defeating Australia in the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

The hosts will therefore provide Australia with a stern test, particularly in the early conditions in Harare. However, the return of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh gives Australia considerably more experience at the top of the order, while Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis give them a strong bowling combination.

Zimbabwe vs Australia Head-to-Head Record

Australia has won 8 of its last 10 matches against Zimbabwe. Both those defeats have come in their last four meetings, including Zimbabwe's famous 2022 victory in Townsville.

ZIM vs AUS Team Previews

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will be looking to carry the momentum from their recent 2-1 ODI series win over Bangladesh into this contest. They have also recalled several experienced players for the series, including Brendan Taylor, Ryan Burl and Graeme Cremer, suggesting that the hosts are prioritising the opportunity to challenge Australia now rather than simply looking ahead to next year's World Cup.

Sikandar Raza will captain Zimbabwe after Richard Ngarava was ruled out with a lower-back injury. Tanaka Chivanga is also unavailable because of an Achilles injury, leaving Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans as particularly important members of the pace attack.

Brian Bennett and Ben Curran are expected to open the batting, with Innocent Kaia and Craig Ervine providing experience in the top and middle order. Wessly Madhevere offers useful all-round ability, while Raza and Ryan Burl can provide further depth with both bat and ball.

The bowling attack will be led by Muzarabani and Evans, with their pace and bounce likely to be particularly effective during the early morning conditions. Graeme Cremer's return also gives Zimbabwe another experienced spin option, although Wellington Masakadza remains in contention.

Brendan Taylor is expected to assist with the wicketkeeping duties following Clive Madande's injury.

Zimbabwe Expected Playing 11

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (WK), Sikandar Raza (C), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza/Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani

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Australia

Australia are using this six-match African ODI campaign as an important part of their preparation for the 2027 World Cup. They will play three ODIs against Zimbabwe before travelling to South Africa for another three matches.

The visitors have been boosted by the returns of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who missed Australia's recent ODI series against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Marsh will captain the side in Zimbabwe, while Head is expected to return to the top of the order.

Cooper Connolly is another player with plenty to gain from the series. He scored a brilliant 149 against Bangladesh in his most recent ODI and will now have to move down the order following the return of Head and Marsh. Australia could use him at No. 3 or in a finishing role depending on how they want to structure the batting order.

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the ODI squad following a prolonged period of poor form, while Joel Davies and Ollie Peake remain part of Australia's wider plans. The retirement of Glenn Maxwell has also left Australia looking for additional lower-order power.

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will not play this series, having been selected only for the South African leg of the tour. Josh Hazlewood will spearhead the pace attack in Zimbabwe, with Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett competing for a greater role ahead of the World Cup. Adam Zampa remains the frontline spin option.

Australia Expected Playing 11

Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (WK), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey/Ollie Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

AFG vs IND Toss Prediction

The early 9:30 AM starts are an important factor in this series, with Australia specifically using the matches to assess conditions similar to those they could encounter at next year's World Cup.

The new ball is expected to offer some movement in the morning, so the captain winning the toss is likely to prefer bowling first. Both teams will want to take advantage of the freshest conditions before batting becomes easier later in the day.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The Harare Sports Club pitch could make batting difficult during the opening stages of the match. The recent ODI series between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh was dominated by the bowlers, with 247 the highest team total across the three games. There were only two individual scores above 75, while Zimbabwe successfully defended totals of 141 and 247.

The early 9:30 AM start should give the seamers an opportunity to extract movement and bounce with the new ball. Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans should therefore be important for Zimbabwe, while Josh Hazlewood and Australia's other pace options will also be dangerous.

ZIM vs AUS : Who Will Win?

We are backing Australia to win this match. The visitors have been inconsistent in ODI cricket recently, but the return of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh significantly strengthens their top order, while the presence of Hazlewood, Zampa and Ellis gives them plenty of bowling quality.

Bet on Australia to win.