Zimbabwe vs Australia 3rd ODI Predictions - Connolly aiming for hat-trick of half-centuries

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 22 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 22 minutes ago

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Zimbabwe have lost their last three ODIs in a row.
Australia’s batters have scored two centuries and three half-centuries in the two ODIs.
Zimbabwe have been bowled out in under 49 overs in both ODIs for 235 and 272.

Cooper Connolly's form with the bat has been key to Australia scoring over 290 in both ODIs (Getty Images).

Zimbabwe vs Australia Predictions

Zimbabwe have been totally outplayed in the series and with just two batters scoring half-centuries – Craig Ervine 59 and Sikandar Raza 57. Australia have scored over 290 in both ODIs.

Zimbabwe vs Australia Predictions
Head-to-Head
Zimbabwe Form
Australia Form
Team news

Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza has scored 57 & 45 against Australia.
Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine has scores of 59 & 38 in his last 2 innings.
Zimbabwe’s Brad Evans has taken 11 wickets in 5 matches.
Australia’s Cooper Connolly has scored 51 & 78 in the first 2 ODIs.
Australia’s Travis Head scored 112 in the 2nd ODI.
Australia’s Adam Zampa has taken 1/55 & 2/62 in his last 2 innings.

Head-to-Head

Australia have won four and lost one of their last five ODIs against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe head into the final ODI looking for a stronger all-round performance after falling 84 runs short in the second match. Asked to chase 357, they were dismissed for 272 despite useful contributions throughout the middle order. Brendan Taylor top-scored with 49, while Sikandar Raza made 45 and Craig Ervine added 38, but Zimbabwe again lacked the major innings needed to keep pace with Australia’s total.

Their bowlers also struggled to contain an aggressive Australian top order, although Brad Evans impressed with three wickets and Wellington Masakadza claimed two. Zimbabwe will hope Ben Curran can provide greater stability after scoring 474 runs across his last 10 matches at an average of 59.35.

Raza remains another key batting threat, with 364 runs from his previous 10 appearances. Evans has also taken 12 wickets in seven matches, while Blessing Muzarabani has collected 11 wickets across his last nine outings.

Australia Form

Australia arrive with the series already secured after another commanding display in the second ODI. Their 356-run total proved comfortably beyond Zimbabwe, who were dismissed for 272, giving Australia an 84-run victory and underlining the strength of both their batting and bowling units.

Travis Head provided the headline performance with a superb 112 from 84 balls, while Cooper Connolly struck 78 from 69 deliveries and Mitchell Marsh contributed 53 as Australia built a formidable total. Connolly then added two wickets for 25 runs with the ball, completing an excellent all-round display, while Josh Hazlewood, Matt Renshaw and Adam Zampa also claimed two wickets apiece.

Connolly has now scored 400 runs across his last 10 matches at an average above 57, while Renshaw has contributed 320 runs over the same period. Nathan Ellis remains another major bowling threat, having taken 16 wickets in his previous eight matches.

Team news

Harare generally offers early assistance to seamers before easing for batting, with spinners becoming influential later. First-innings scores average around 258, making batting first the preferred toss option.

Zimbabwe (possible XI): Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (c), Brad Evans, Wessly Madhevere, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani.

Australia (possible XI): Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Bartlett.

Verdict

Zimbabwe v Australia

Australia are favourites to secure a 3-0 series whitewash by beating Zimbabwe for the third straight match. Cooper Connolly’s hot form with the bat is backed to be in the runs again, and I am also backing Sikandar Raza, Brad Evans and Adam Zampa backed to star with bat and ball.

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