Head Hits 112 as Australia Seal ODI Series in Zimbabwe
Travis Head smashed 112 off 84 balls as Australia beat Zimbabwe by 84 runs in Harare on 18 September to clinch the one-day series. Australia made 356 for six, then bowled Zimbabwe out for 272 in 48.3 overs for an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The Guardian
The match was the second one-day international — each side faces 50 overs — of Australia's tour of Zimbabwe in September 2026. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bowl first in Harare. Australia had already won the first game at Harare Sports Club by 59 runs, after bowling Zimbabwe out for 235 in 45.1 overs. The trip was Australia's first bilateral one-day visit to Zimbabwe in 12 years, with the previous tour in 2014. Reuters
Head set the tone from the start. He and captain Mitchell Marsh put on 130 off 114 balls for the first wicket, the opening partnership. Marsh made 53, his 21st half-century in one-day internationals. Head reached his hundred off 75 balls and finished with 15 fours and three sixes.
It was brutal. Head's 112 was his eighth one-day hundred, and his first since the Ashes. Cricket.com.au
Australia did not slow down after the openers fell. Cooper Connolly scored 78 through the middle overs, when the field is spread and rotation of strike matters. Ollie Peake then hit 41 off just 18 balls at the finish. Brad Evans took 3-86 for Zimbabwe, the best of the home bowlers. Australia's 356-6 was their highest one-day score against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe kept swinging in reply. Raza top-scored with 45, leading from the front as captain. Innocent Kaia made 34 before he became Adam Zampa's 200th wicket in one-day internationals. Zampa finished with 2-62.
Australia had an injury worry. Fast bowler Billy Stanlake left the field with a side strain in his fifth over and did not return.
What makes this stand out is the spread of the batting. Head gave Australia speed at the top, Connolly gave control in the middle, and Peake gave late power. For fans, this means the series is decided with one game to play, but Zimbabwe have shown they will attack for long passages.
