Australia completed a dramatic one-wicket victory over Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club after reaching a target of 272 with only one ball remaining. The visitors finished on 272 for nine in 49.5 overs and secured a 3-0 sweep of the ODI series.
Josh Inglis held the chase together with 103 from 102 balls, but his dismissal left Australia needing 45 runs with only the lower order available. Nathan Ellis then produced the decisive innings, finishing unbeaten on 36 after earlier taking three wickets with the ball.
Zimbabwe vs Australia third ODI result
Zimbabwe: 271/8 in 50 overs
Australia: 272/9 in 49.5 overs
Result: Australia won by one wicket with one ball remaining
Series: Australia won the three-match ODI series 3-0
Raza anchors Zimbabwe's innings
Zimbabwe chose to bat first but slipped to 68 for three before Innocent Kaia and Craig Ervine rebuilt the innings. Kaia scored 55 from 66 balls and Ervine contributed 59, adding an important 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Kaia was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring problem, but captain Sikandar Raza carried Zimbabwe through the closing overs. Raza finished unbeaten on 81 from 72 deliveries, striking seven fours and a six as the hosts reached 271 for eight.
Nathan Ellis leads Australia's bowling effort
Zimbabwe appeared capable of passing 300 after entering the final 10 overs with only three wickets down. Australia responded by taking four wickets for 22 runs and slowed the scoring rate at the decisive stage of the innings.
Ellis finished with 3/50 from 10 overs. Spencer Johnson claimed 2/50 and Adam Zampa returned 2/54, ensuring Australia faced a challenging but achievable target.
Josh Inglis rescues the chase after early wickets
Australia lost Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head inside the first 19 deliveries. Inglis counterattacked and rebuilt the innings, combining positive strokeplay with sharp running between the wickets.
He shared an 85-run stand with Alex Carey, who made 34, and struck 11 fours during his century. Inglis reached 103 before Raza dismissed him with Australia still 45 runs short and seven wickets already down.
Zimbabwe push Australia to the final over
Brad Evans kept Zimbabwe in the match with 4/47, while Graeme Cremer took two wickets on his return to ODI cricket. The hosts moved within one wicket of victory when Australia's recognised batters had been dismissed.
Ellis and number 11 Spencer Johnson refused to surrender. Their unbeaten 27-run partnership for the final wicket reduced the equation to nine runs from the last over.
Ellis seals victory with one ball remaining
Ellis struck the first ball of the final over for six, immediately easing the pressure. He completed the chase with a single from the fifth delivery as Australia finished on 272 for nine.
Ellis ended unbeaten on 36 from 44 balls, while Johnson made seven not out. Ellis' all-round contribution of 36 not out and 3/50 proved decisive in the closest match of the series.
Australia complete a 3-0 ODI series sweep
Australia had won the opening ODI by 59 runs and the second match by 84 runs. The final-over victory completed the whitewash and provided the touring side with experience of successfully chasing under pressure.
The series also featured three Australian centuries: Matthew Renshaw scored 109 in the opener, Travis Head reached three figures in the second ODI, and Inglis produced the match-winning hundred in the finale.
Key performances
Josh Inglis: 103 from 102 balls, including 11 fours
Nathan Ellis: 36 not out and 3/50
Sikandar Raza: 81 not out from 72 balls
Craig Ervine: 59
Innocent Kaia: 55 retired hurt
Brad Evans: 4/47
Scores and match details checked against Cricket Australia's official match report and ABC's match coverage.