Zimbabwe vs Australia 3rd ODI Tips - Back Connolly Again

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Sat 19 Sep 2026 11:28

Jeremy Darke 1 hour ago

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Australia seek 3-0 sweep; Connolly is in red-hot form.
Connolly backed for 27.5+ runs/another 50+; Zampa tipped for 2+ wickets.
Zimbabwe may shuffle squad after struggling to convert starts.

Zimbabwe vs Australia 3rd ODI Tips (Photo by Jekesai NJIKIZANA / AFP via Getty Images)

Zimbabwe vs Australia, 3rd ODI 2026 - Expert Prediction

Australia have already wrapped up the series and Cooper Connolly is the batter to follow as they chase a 3-0 sweep.

Zimbabwe vs Australia, 3rd ODI 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Zimbabwe Form Analysis
Australia Form Analysis
Zimbabwe Squad & News
Australia Squad & News

The 23-year-old Connolly has now made three consecutive ODI scores of 50+, becoming the youngest Australian men's player to achieve that feat.

Conditions should suit him again. The second ODI pitch was better for free-flowing batting than the opener, with another good batting surface expected in Harare, although there has been some early movement and assistance for spin.

Connolly over 27.5 runs is the strongest play, with another 50+ score worth backing given his consistency through the middle order.

Adam Zampa rounds out the selections with 2+ wickets. Zimbabwe had seven of their top eight reach at least 23 in the second ODI but none passed Sikandar Raza's 45, creating plenty of wicket-taking opportunities through the middle overs.

Take Cooper Connolly over 27.5 runs. Cooper Connolly 50+ runs and Adam Zampa 2+ wickets are the side bets.

Cooper Connolly has recorded 3 consecutive ODI scores of 50+, becoming the youngest Australian men's player to achieve the feat.
Australia have won 3 consecutive ODIs after losing their previous 2.
Zimbabwe scored 272 in the second ODI but none of their batters reached 50, despite 7 of the top 8 scoring at least 23.
Zimbabwe have lost all 3 of their most recent completed ODIs.
Australia have already secured the series after dominating the second ODI from start to finish.

Head to Head

Australia have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after winning both ODIs in Harare.

Zimbabwe now need to avoid the sweep. They were in the same position during their 2022 tour of Australia before upsetting the hosts in the final ODI.

Zimbabwe Form Analysis

Zimbabwe improved with the bat in the second ODI, reaching 272, but again struggled to convert starts into substantial innings.

Seven of their top eight reached at least 23, yet Raza's 45 was the highest score. Brian Bennett has made 25 and 23 in the series and has now gone nine ODI innings without passing 48 since his 169 against Ireland in February 2025.

Australia Form Analysis

Australia produced a dominant performance in the second ODI, led by Travis Head's destructive 75-ball century.

Connolly continued his excellent run with a third consecutive ODI score of 50+, while Josh Hazlewood added two wickets. Australia also coped comfortably after Billy Stanlake was forced from the attack through injury.

Zimbabwe Squad & News

Sikandar Raza (c), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.

With the series already lost, Zimbabwe have the option of changing their combination for the final ODI. Tadiwanashe Marumani could be given an opportunity, while Ryan Burl and Graeme Cremer provide alternative spin options.

Australia Squad & News

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa.

Cameron Green is in line to return after missing the opening two ODIs with a shoulder niggle and could replace Alex Carey in the middle order.

Billy Stanlake is unlikely to feature after leaving the field injured during the second ODI, with Spencer Johnson available to return to the attack.