Zimbabwe’s chase never really recovered after a disastrous start, as Nathan Ellis ripped through the lower half of their batting to hand Australia a 59-run win in the first ODI in Harare.
The hosts were chasing a challenging total on a good batting surface but were soon in trouble. Ben Curran departed for a second-ball duck, caught at mid-off off Xavier Bartlett, before Craig Ervine was given an early reprieve after a review overturned an lbw decision.
Ellis then struck with a slower delivery to dismiss Innocent Kaia for 11, while Sikandar Raza survived a chance at backward point. Zimbabwe were 46 for 3 after nine overs and needed a substantial partnership to stay in the contest.
Raza and Ervine provided exactly that. The experienced pair rebuilt the innings patiently, rotating the strike while waiting for opportunities to attack. Ervine brought up his half-century from 51 balls, while Raza gradually increased the tempo.
Their 98-run stand gave Zimbabwe a realistic chance, but Ellis returned at the perfect moment. He beat Ervine for pace and movement to knock over his off stump, ending the partnership and leaving the hosts exposed.
Raza reached his fifty soon afterwards, but Spencer Johnson ended his resistance with a well-directed yorker. With Zimbabwe’s top six gone, the required rate had climbed beyond reach.
Ellis returned for the closing overs and completed his career-best figures of 5 for 31, dismissing Wellington Masakadza lbw before bowling Newman Nyamhuri with a slower ball. Zimbabwe were all out for 161.
Earlier, Australia had recovered from a poor start of their own to post a competitive total. Travis Head dragged Brad Evans onto his stumps in the second over, leaving Australia 10 for 1. Mitchell Marsh and Cooper Connolly responded with an attacking stand before Marsh fell for 36 to Nyamhuri.
The 20-year-old left-arm seamer then removed Josh Inglis, with Brendan Taylor taking an outstanding one-handed catch. Connolly survived two chances before Raza finally bowled him for 53.
Matt Renshaw then took charge. He built important partnerships with Alex Carey and Ollie Peake before accelerating towards his maiden ODI century. His hundred came from 88 balls, with his second fifty taking only 33 deliveries.
Renshaw was eventually dismissed for 100, while Peake made 40 from 30 balls. Australia lost wickets late but had enough on the board to secure victory.
Nyamhuri finished with 5 for 62 and became Zimbabwe’s youngest bowler to take an ODI five-for at 20 years and 239 days. There was another landmark for Taylor, who became the longest-serving ODI player at 22 years and 148 days, moving past Sachin Tendulkar.
The second ODI will be played in Harare on Friday.
