Australia sealed the series 3-0 and will head to South Africa for three one-day internationals beginning Thursday in Durban.
In Harare, Josh Inglis carried the tourists with his second ODI century, a 103 from 102 balls that kept Australia in touch through a chase punctuated by regular wickets. When the target came down to the final overs, the lower order provided the decisive contribution. Nathan Ellis, on his highest ODI score of an unbeaten 36 from 44 balls, finished the game alongside No 11 Spencer Johnson as the pair added the required runs at a run-a-ball to claim victory with one ball to spare.
The match turned late after Zimbabwe appeared to be closing in. Wesley Madhevere dropped Ellis in the penultimate over, a reprieve that proved costly for the hosts when Ellis hit a six off the first delivery of the final over and left Zimbabwe defending nine runs they could not hold.
Zimbabwe had earlier set a competitive total thanks to a captain’s innings from Sikandar Raza, who remained unbeaten on 81 from 72 balls. Craig Ervine made 59 from 79 balls and Innocent Kaia contributed 55 from 66 before retiring hurt with a hamstring problem when the scoreboard read 148 for three. Brad Evans was the pick of the home attack, claiming four for 47 in his allotted 10 overs.
Australia’s bowlers were led by Ellis, who also took three for 50 in his 10 overs. The visitors had rotated several regulars for this tour but still managed to finish the trip unbeaten. Inglis’s century and Ellis’s late composure deprived Zimbabwe of what would have been a consolation win.
Australia now moves on to Durban where the three-match ODI series against South Africa starts on Thursday, offering a quick turnaround and a tougher set of opponents following a dominant result in Zimbabwe.
