Australia are the clear favourites to win the ZIM vs AUS 2nd ODI, with a win probability of 55% against Zimbabwe’s 45%. In the 1st ODI just days ago, Australia cruised to a 59-run victory, with Matt Renshaw’s century setting the tone. Cooper Connolly leads this match prediction as the likely Player of the Match, a dynamic top-order presence who can make a mockery of any bowling attack. This ZIM vs AUS preview covers the pitch report, weather, playing XI, head-to-head records, team previews, and fantasy cricket tips to give you the complete picture before the first ball is bowled on September 18 at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe vs Australia Match Details
Match | Zimbabwe vs Australia | 2nd ODI | Australia Tour of Zimbabwe |
Date | 18/09/2026 (Friday) |
Time | BDT 1:30 PM / PKT 12:30 PM / INR 1:00 PM |
Format | ODI |
Venue | Harare Sports Club |
Recent Performance | Zimbabwe – L W W L L, Australia – L L L W W |
ZIM vs AUS Australia Tour of Zimbabwe 2026: Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
Coverage is spread across multiple platforms depending on your region — here’s where you can catch all the action live:
- Pakistan: Tapmad (Digital)
- India: FanCode App & Website (Digital)
- Bangladesh: Tapmad (Digital)
- UK: JioHotstar UK (Digital)
- USA & Canada: Hotstar (Digital)
- Australia & New Zealand: Fox Cricket (TV), Kayo Sports (Digital)
- Worldwide: Matches available via Sports Live Hub for global streaming access across regions.
Zimbabwe vs Australia Toss Prediction
Australia are predicted to win the toss and elect to bat first at Harare Sports Club. The pitch tends to offer more for bowlers as the match progresses, and with dew expected to play a role under the afternoon sun, batting first remains the preferred strategy. Putting runs on the board early takes the pressure off their bowling unit and reduces the dew-factor advantage for Zimbabwe’s batters in the second innings.
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
The Harare Sports Club surface has historically offered a decent contest between bat and ball in the ZIM vs AUS series. Early on, the pitch tends to provide lateral movement for seamers, but as the innings progresses, the surface flattens out and becomes more batter-friendly. Scores in the 270–310 range are typical for the team batting first. Spinners also play a notable role in the middle overs, and the square boundary assists big-hitters looking to find the gaps.
Weather Report
Harare is expected to see warm and partly cloudy conditions on September 18, with temperatures around 22–26°C. There is a moderate chance of dew settling in the second innings, which could make the ball harder to grip for bowlers and give batting teams a slight advantage late in the match. Rain interruptions appear unlikely at this stage, meaning a full 50-over contest is on the cards. Teams will factor in the dew conditions when making their batting-order and bowling rotation decisions.
ZIM vs AUS Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 34 |
ZIM Won | 3 |
AUS Won | 30 |
Tied | 0 |
No Result | 1 |
First-ever Fixture | March 14, 1992 |
Most-recent Fixture | September 15, 2026 |
Zimbabwe vs Australia Team Preview & Squads
Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza’s captaincy is Zimbabwe’s biggest intangible. A cricketing brain who leads from the front, Raza brings tactical discipline and the ability to read conditions quickly, vital when facing a side of Australia’s calibre. His field placements and bowling changes in the 1st ODI showed creativity, even if the result didn’t go Zimbabwe’s way. Expect Raza to be aggressive and proactive in the 2nd ODI, knowing that momentum needs to shift early.
The batting structure hinges on Craig Ervine’s experience at the top, with Brian Bennett providing explosive middle-order power. Bennett’s ability to hit sixes at a high rate makes him Zimbabwe’s most dangerous batter in this prediction, and the most likely to threaten Australia’s bowlers on a surface that eases later. If Ervine can give Zimbabwe a solid platform inside the first 15 overs, Bennett and the lower-middle order can accelerate.
In terms of bowling, Newman Nyamhuri is the key wicket-taker Zimbabwe are banking on to test Australia’s line-up early. Blessing Muzarabani, the tall and hostile seamer, is predicted to be Zimbabwe’s top wicket-taker and can generate awkward bounce. Brian Bennett’s all-round value with the ball adds versatility to Raza’s options in this ZIM vs AUS preview, while spinners will likely play a key role in the middle overs given the surface’s history.
Zimbabwe Squad:
Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine, Brad Evans, Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Ernest Masuku, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Brendan Taylor
Australia
Mitchell Marsh brings a calm, results-oriented leadership style to this Australian side. His captaincy is built around allowing individuals to express themselves while maintaining clear tactical structures. In a series where Australia already hold a 1-0 lead, Marsh will be keen to seal the contest early, and his ability to shuffle the bowling order intelligently could be the difference-maker in a close contest.
The batting department looks formidable. Matt Renshaw, the Player of the Match from the 1st ODI with a classy century, will be the man opposing bowlers must contain. But Australia’s real X-factor in this fixture is Cooper Connolly, tipped as the predicted top run-scorer for AUS, Player of the Match candidate, and the man most likely to hit the most sixes. Travis Head and Josh Inglis in the top order add further firepower and the ability to put subpar bowling attacks to the sword early.
Australia’s bowling unit is their most complete asset in this series. Nathan Ellis, the predicted top wicket-taker for AUS, provides a high-quality pace option with the ability to bowl yorkers under pressure. Adam Zampa, listed as the key all-rounder, brings match-turning leg-spin that can trouble Zimbabwean batters who are less comfortable against the turning ball. Spencer Johnson and Xavier Bartlett offer additional pace variety, making Australia’s bowling attack versatile across all phases.
Australia Squad:
Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matt Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa
ZIM vs AUS Prediction
Event | Zimbabwe | Australia |
Toss Winner | – | Australia |
Player of the Match | – | Cooper Connolly |
Top Run Scorer | Brian Bennett | Cooper Connolly |
Top Wicket Taker | Blessing Muzarabani | Nathan Ellis |
Most Sixes | Brian Bennett | Cooper Connolly |
Predicted Score | 290+ | 300+ |
Win Probability | 45% | 55% |
Zimbabwe vs Australia Winning Prediction
Australia are our predicted winners of the 2nd ODI, backed by a 55% win probability, superior head-to-head dominance, and a settled batting line-up that tore through Zimbabwe in the 1st ODI. Cooper Connolly’s form and the bowling potency of Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa give Australia control across every phase. Zimbabwe can certainly cause an upset, can Brian Bennett and the bowling attack rise to the occasion and level the series? Share your prediction and follow JeetBuzz for live match updates, expert analysis, and in-depth fantasy cricket stats throughout the Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026.
FAQ: Australia Tour of Zimbabwe 2026 – 2nd ODI
Q: What time does the ZIM vs AUS 2nd ODI start in IST?
A: The match starts at INR 1:00 PM (IST) on September 18, 2026.
Q: Where can I watch the Zimbabwe vs Australia 2nd ODI live?
A: The match is available to stream live on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Q: Who is the predicted Player of the Match for the 2nd ODI?
A: Cooper Connolly of Australia is the predicted Player of the Match for the ZIM vs AUS 2nd ODI.