21-year wait over: Matt Renshaw hits Australia’s first ODI century against Zimbabwe since 2004

Australia batter Matt Renshaw scored his maiden ODI century on Tuesday in the first match of the three-match series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.Renshaw scored 109 as Australia posted 294 in the series opener. His century was the first by an Australian against Zimbabwe since Michael Clarke scored an unbeaten 105 in 2004.

Renshaw helps Australia recover

Renshaw came to the crease when Australia were in trouble at 83/3 in 13 overs after opting to bat first. The left-hander took his time and kept the scoreboard moving before stepping up the attack. He brought up his fifty off 55 balls.Renshaw continued to find the boundaries and reached his century off just 86 balls. It was the fastest ODI century by an Australian against Zimbabwe. He bettered Adam Gilchrist’s previous record of 89 balls, which came in the Hobart ODI in 2004.

First Australian No. 6 or lower to hit ODI ton since Maxwell

Renshaw’s century was also the first ODI hundred by an Australian batting at No. 6 or lower since Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. His impressive innings ended when he was caught at deep mid-wicket off left-arm fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri.Nyamhuri completed his maiden five-wicket haul with Renshaw’s wicket.

Australia post 294

Renshaw’s 109, Cooper Connolly’s 51, Oliver Peake’s 30 and Mitchell Marsh’s 36 were the main contributions as Australia reached 294.Earlier, Cameron Green missed the Playing XI due to shoulder soreness, while fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was rested as part of workload management.