Ellis pulls off last-over heist as Australia edge Zimbabwe to sweep series
Australia beat Zimbabwe by one wicket with one ball to spare in Harare on 20 September to seal a 3-0 win in the one-day international series — the 50-over format where each side faces 300 balls unless bowled out earlier. The Guardian
Zimbabwe chose to bat first at Harare Sports Club. They finished on 271 for 8, which left Australia chasing 272 for victory. ESPN
The home side built steadily. Captain Sikandar Raza finished unbeaten on 81 from 72 balls. Craig Ervine made 59 from 79 balls alongside him.
Innocent Kaia added 55 from 66 balls. His innings ended in pain rather than dismissal, as he retired hurt with a hamstring injury when Zimbabwe were 148 for three. Retired hurt means a batter leaves the field injured and may return later if fit.
Nathan Ellis was Australia’s most effective bowler. He took 3 for 50 from his full allocation of 10 overs.
Australia’s reply centred on Josh Inglis. He scored 103 from 102 balls with 11 fours. It was his second ODI hundred.
Zimbabwe refused to fold. Brad Evans took 4 for 47 from 10 overs to rip through the middle and lower order. Australia slipped badly. They still needed 27 runs when Ellis was joined by Spencer Johnson, the No. 11 and final batter in the order.
Ellis held his nerve. He finished unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls, his highest score in ODIs. Johnson hung on at the other end.
Zimbabwe had a chance to close it out. Wessly Madhevere dropped Ellis in the penultimate over. That miss proved costly.
Nine runs stood between Zimbabwe and a consolation win at the start of the final over. Ellis smashed the first ball for six. The equation shrank fast. Australia scrambled home with a ball left.
What makes this stand out is how thin the margin became. One dropped catch, one clean strike, and a series that looked lost for Australia turned in two overs of tail-end batting.
Australia had already taken the series with a 59-run win in the first ODI in Harare. The clean sweep keeps momentum before a sterner test. Australia next play three ODIs in South Africa, starting in Durban on Thursday. The Guardian
