ZIM vs AUS 2nd ODI Match Prediction & Fantasy Tips

Australia have already taken a 1-0 lead in the series, Matt Renshaw’s maiden century setting up the total before Nathan Ellis’s five-wicket haul sealed the 59-run win.

Match Preview

Australia lead the series 1-0 after a 59-run win over Zimbabwe in the opener, and they will be looking to seal the series in Harare.

Matt Renshaw was the standout performer in the first game, scoring his maiden ODI century. His numbers this season now stand at 326 runs at an average of 36.22. Cooper Connolly has also been in fine touch, scoring 322 runs at an excellent average of 53.67.

Zimbabwe had a few positives despite the defeat. Craig Ervine and captain Sikandar Raza scored half-centuries, while Raza’s overall numbers this season stand at 332 runs at an average of 41.50. Ben Curran has been Zimbabwe’s most consistent run-scorer, with 456 runs at an average of 57.00.

With the ball, Nathan Ellis was the difference-maker in the first match with a five-wicket haul and now has 16 wickets this season at an economy rate below 5. Zimbabwe hit back through Newman Nyamhuri, who also picked up a five-wicket haul, while Blessing Muzarabani remains their experienced seam option.

Australia have greater depth across both departments, but Zimbabwe have shown enough to make this a competitive contest if their middle order can produce a stronger performance.

Match Details

ZIM vs AUS Pitch Report – Harare Sports Club, Harare

The Harare Sports Club pitch has recently offered balanced to batting-friendly conditions in ODIs, although seamers can get significant assistance with the new ball.

In the four most recent ODIs at this venue, first-innings totals have been 141, 247/6, 199 and 294/8, with an average of around 220.

In the most recent match on September 15, Australia posted 294/8 before bowling Zimbabwe out for 235. This suggests that the surface can support a strong total once batters survive the early movement.

The main threat is pace and seam bowling, particularly during the first 10-15 overs. In that match, Zimbabwe’s Newman Nyamhuri picked up 5/62, while Australia’s Nathan Ellis returned figures of 5/31.

Spin can become more useful as the ball gets older and the game progresses, but seam, cutters, hard lengths and changes of pace could be more influential than significant turn.

👉Pitch Report Source: CricBuzz

ZIM vs AUS Recent Form

The recent results of both teams provide useful context ahead of the second ODI.

👉 Data Sourced From: ESPNcricinfo

ZIM vs AUS Head-to-Head Record

Here are the results from the last five ODI meetings between Zimbabwe and Australia.

👉 Data Sourced From: ESPNcricinfo

ZIM vs AUS Probable Playing XI

The probable playing XIs for the second ODI are as follows.

Australia:

Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (WK), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

Zimbabwe:

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor (WK), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (C), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani

Top Picks for ZIM vs AUS Fantasy Team

Top Batting Picks

• Ben Curran (ZIM, BAT) — 456 runs this season at an outstanding average of 57 | Zimbabwe’s most consistent run-scorer by a distance.
• Matt Renshaw (AUS, BAT) — 326 runs at an average of 36.22, including a maiden ODI century in the last match | Australia’s in-form top-order batter right now.
• Sikandar Raza (ZIM, ALL/BAT, C) — 332 runs at an average of 41.5, with a half-century in the last match | Zimbabwe’s captain and their most important all-round player.
• Cooper Connolly (AUS, BAT) — 322 runs at an excellent average of 53.67 | A key middle-order option for Australia this season.

Top Bowling Picks

• Nathan Ellis (AUS, BOWL) — 16 wickets this season at an outstanding economy under 5, including a five-wicket haul in the last match | The most dangerous bowler in this contest right now.
• Newman Nyamhuri (ZIM, BOWL) — Picked up a five-wicket haul in the series opener | Zimbabwe’s most impressive bowler this series.
• Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM, BOWL) — 11 wickets this season at an economy under 5 | Zimbabwe’s most experienced and reliable seam option.
• Xavier Bartlett (AUS, BOWL) — 8 wickets at an economy of 5.17 | A consistent wicket-taking option for Australia.

ZIM vs AUS Best Fantasy Team

Here is a suggested fantasy team for the ZIM vs AUS 2nd ODI.

ZIM vs AUS Captain & Vice-Captain Picks

Here are the captain and vice-captain picks for the ZIM vs AUS fantasy team.

• Captain: Ben Curran
• Vice-Captain: Nathan Ellis

ZIM vs AUS Toss Prediction

Bowl first.

The Harare pitch can offer assistance to seamers with the new ball, so the team winning the toss could prefer to bowl first and make use of the early movement.

ZIM vs AUS Today Match Prediction

Australia Win

Australia enter the second ODI with a 1-0 series lead after winning the opener by 59 runs. Matt Renshaw’s century and Nathan Ellis’s five-wicket haul highlighted Australia’s strength with both bat and ball.

Zimbabwe also have positives to build on. Newman Nyamhuri took five wickets, while Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza scored half-centuries in the first match. If Zimbabwe’s middle order contributes more runs and their bowlers continue to take wickets, they can put Australia under pressure.

Australia’s greater squad depth gives them the edge in this matchup, while they will also be looking to complete a series win in the second ODI.