Cremer plays his first ODI in eight years, Zimbabwe bat first
Graeme Cremer plays his first ODI in eight years • AFP
After two matches chasing, unsuccessfully, Sikandar Raza opted to put runs on the board first as Zimbabwe look to claim a consolation win in their last home international of the year. Australia have already won the three-match 2-0 and will use the last match to tune-up before heading to South Africa for three ODIs next week.
Australia are still without Cameron Green, who has a shoulder problem but was expected to be ready for this match. Billy Stanlake, who picked up what appeared to be a side strain in game two, is also unavailable while Josh Hazlewood has been rested ahead of the South Africa tour.
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Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson are back in the XI with no room for uncapped left-arm spinner Joel Davies. Their batting line-up is unchanged.
Zimbabwe also made two changes, both in the attack. Wellington Masakadza is out with a niggle and Newman Nyamhuri has been rested with Ernest Masuku set to play his third ODI and legspinner Graeme Cremer getting his first outing of the series. Cremer turned 40 yesterday and joins Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine and Raza as the fourth player over the age of 40 in Zimbabwe's side. Cremer has not played an ODI since 2018.
There are no more home fixtures for Zimbabwe in 2026, with the team set to travel to the UAE to play a tri-series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh next month and two Tests against Afghanistan. Zimbabwe then have ODIs scheduled in India and Pakistan in early 2027.
Zimbabwe: 1 Brian Bennett, 3 Ben Curran, 3 Innocent Kaia, 4 Brendan Taylor (wk), 5 Craig Ervine, 6 Sikandar Raza (capt), 7 Wessly Madhevere, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Graeme Cremer, 10 Ernest Masuku, 11 Blessing Murazabani
Australia: 1 Mitch Marsh (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Alex Carey, 6 Matt Renshaw, 7 Oliver Peake, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Spencer Johnson
Firdose Moonda is Cricinfo's senior correspondent for Africa and women's cricket
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