Maiden Matt Renshaw ODI Century Sets Up Australia Win In Zimbabwe

Renshaw's Maiden ODI Century Powers Australia Past Zimbabwe

Straight out of the middle and straight into the record books—Matt Renshaw finally broke through with his maiden ODI ton, setting up Australia's 59-run win over Zimbabwe in Harare Tuesday.

Renshaw walked in with the visitors struggling at 107/4 and did exactly what a top-order bat should: rebuilt and dominated. His 94-ball 109 was a proper all-round knock—3 sixes, 7 fours, and a solid 49 singles. He's known as more of a Test guy (his previous international century came back in Jan 2017 vs Pakistan at Sydney), so the ~10 year gap between hundreds says it all. He was caught at midwicket off Newman Nyamhuri's delivery, ending a well-earned stand.

The Build-Up

Australia won the toss and posted 294 in 50 overs. Renshaw nicked in with Alex Carey (72-run stand) before linking up with young all-rounder Oliver Peake for a handy 75. Cooper Connolly then added a quick 51 (2nd ODI half-century) before getting bowled by Sikandar Raza's turn.

In Reply

Zimbabwe never really lived up to the tag. Slumping to 62/4, they leaned on Craig Ervine (59) and skipper Sikandar Raza (57) for a crucial 98-run 5th-wicket partnership. But Nathan Ellis—career-best 5/31—painted the vanish, removing Ervine and ending Raza's innings. Nyamhuri was Zimbabwe's best with the ball (5/62), but it wasn't enough.

Bottom Line

Zimbabwe bowled out for 235 in 45.1 overs. Australia now lead the series and head to South Africa for 3 ODIs (from Sept 24) then 3 Tests.

Brief Scores: AUS 294 (Renshaw 109, Connolly 51; Nyamhuri 5/62) v ZIM 235 (Evine 59, Raza 57; Ellis 5/31). Australia won by 59 runs.

— Matt Renshaw, Player of the Match: "Ten years between international hundreds was not something I was expecting."

Source: Cricketnmore