ZIM vs AUS 1st ODI Live Commentary - Harare (15 September 2026)

Back of a length and on off, Brian Bennett punches it towards cover-point.

Hard length and on off, Brian Bennett stabs it out off the bottom edge towards mid off.

No run.

Full delivery, on off, Brian Bennett pushes it towards cover.

Pitched up and on off, Brian Bennett drives it towards mid off for a single.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and on middle and leg, sits up nicely for the batter. Innocent Kaia gets on top of it, rolls his wrists and pulls it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Good length and on off, Innocent Kaia stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

Goes fuller, on middle, Innocent Kaia knocks it to the left of mid on.

Another full delivery, on off, Innocent Kaia drills it hard but finds wide mid off.

On a length and on middle, Innocent Kaia tucks it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Classy! Fuller delivery, on off. Brian Bennett presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously down the ground to the long off fence for a boundary.

Typical fast bowler's response! Spencer Johnson bangs in a quick bouncer, on middle, Brian Bennett ducks under it.

Back of a length and around off, Brian Bennett stabs it out to the off side.

Short of a length and just outside off, Brian Bennett punches it away but cannot beat cover-point.

Top effort! Much fuller and around off, Brian Bennett throws his hands at it and slices it. It flies wide of backward point, where Cooper Connolly dives to his left and tries to grab it with his outstretched hand, but the ball just does not stick in. They cross. A tough chance, but a chance nonetheless.

Back of a length and around off, Brian Bennett gets on top of the bounce and punches it through covers for a couple of runs.

Good length and on off, Brian Bennett guides it off the outer half of the bat towards deep third for a single.

BUZZERS! Fuller and on off, Innocent Kaia drives it towards cover and sets off for the run. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but well wide of the stumps. Adam Zampa gets around to back it up, but lets it through his legs. He has to get up and chase after it, but the batters get three more in that time. The crowd loves it and lets Zampa know about his error.

Pitched up and just around off, shaping away. Innocent Kaia goes for the drive but gets an outside edge that flies past the second slip, towards third man. They cross.

Beauty! Just back of a length and on the fifth stump line, holds its line and takes off a bit. Brian Bennett has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hard length and around leg, Brian Bennett clips it towards square leg.

Back of a length and on middle, shoots up off the deck. Innocent Kaia hops up to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the body.

Good length and around leg, Innocent Kaia nudges it towards deep fine leg for a single.

Dug into the surface, just outside off, Brian Bennett ducks under it.

Back of a length, on middle, shaping in, Brian Bennett clips it through square leg for a run.

In the air...SAFE! Spencer Johnson bangs in a well-directed bumper, on middle and leg. Innocent Kaia looks to pull it away but gets rushed. It takes the top edge and flies over the keeper's head, but fine leg cuts it out. Two taken.

Much fuller and around off, Innocent Kaia drives it firmly but straight to short cover.

Xavier Bartlett begins with a good-length delivery, on off, angling away. Ben Curran leaves it alone.

OUT! TAKEN! Xavier Bartlett draws first blood! He hits the length hard, around off, gets it to shape back in a bit. Ben Curran looks to drive it on the up, but the length is just not there for the shot. It hits him high on the bat and lobs up towards mid off, where Nathan Ellis takes a dolly. A two-baller for Curran, and Zimbabwe are 1/1, chasing 295 runs.

Goes fuller and on middle, angling in sharply. Innocent Kaia steps across to flick it but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. There is a big shout for LBW, but turned down. Marsh has a chat with his bowler and keeper, but does not take the review. It is given as runs, so maybe an inside edge as well.

On a length and on middle, Brian Bennett blocks it out.

Bangs in a quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, Brian Bennett ducks under it.

FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! Pitched up and around off, Brian Bennett looks to drive it away but the ball just stops on him a bit. He hits it aerailly but wide of mid off as the ball races to the fence for the first boundary of the chase.

Beaten! Spencer Johnson starts with a full delivery, on off, angling away a bit. Brian Bennett goes for the drive but gets beaten on the outside edge. 

Full again but well outside off, but just inside the tramline, Brian Bennett lets it go.

WIDE! Pitched up and outside off again, but a bit too much this time. Brian Bennett leaves it alone. Wided. Zimbabwe are underway with extras!

Just back of a length and around off, angling away, Brian Bennett throws his hands at it but misses. Josh Inglis dives to his right to grab it well.

Pitched up and on middle, shaping in, Brian Bennett taps it out towards short cover.

Good length and on middle, nips back in, Brian Bennett tucks it away towards short mid-wicket.

Touch fuller, on off, Brian Bennett strides out and pushes it towards cover. A fumble but it does not cost anything. Just one wide off the first over!