For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Rajarshi Das who, along with scorer/analyst Dushyant Madhukar Kumar & statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
Phew! What a game here in Harare to bring the ODI series to a close! Zimbabwe gave it everything and came agonizingly close to a deserved victory, but the Aussies somehow managed to hold their nerve and scrape over the line.
Mitchell Marsh collects the winners’ trophy and then joins his teammates for the celebrations and photographs. Australia complete a clean sweep, winning the ODI series 3-0.
Stat: Australia's unbeaten 27-run 10th-wicket stand today is their second-highest in a successful ODI chase, behind the 57* between James Faulkner and Clint McKay against England in Brisbane in 2014.
Mitchell Marsh (Australia Captain): "(On that tense finish) Yeah, it was certainly a close game. It was a good game of cricket at the end. Thought Zimbabwe deserved to win but the boys got the job done at the end which was fantastic to see.
(Gameplan in that run chase) I think it's the same in every innings. We want to get off to a good start and form a couple of partnerships in the top order. We weren't able to do that today but managed to stitch one in the middle. We got a bit lucky there at the end.
(On holding their nerve in such a chase) Yeah, I think we need to stay calm and prove ourselves as a team. I thought with the way we played in those three matches shows that we are improving. We pulled things back really well in the end. Lots of positives in the group. We have got some young talent in the group which are future stars for us.
(How they went about the entire series) I think the wickets in One Day cricket is generally pretty flat. Zimbabwe played really well. We had to play really hard to win every game. Kudos to the boys.
(On Nathan Ellis' batting performance) I love Cooper but I thought Ellis deserved the Player of the Series award. He is a gem. He is certainly someone I go to when I am under pressure. He is a great leader as well. He has found his way in International cricket now and knows that he is a world class bowler. Very happy for him."
Josh Inglis (Player of the Match): "(How good is he feeling with his performance today) Yeah, I was disappointed with my output in the last couple of games. To get a score that helps us win the game today, yeah, pretty happy.
(Was he under pressure in this game having not contributed much in the series?) Well, you can say that actually but I didn't look at it that way. It was just about how can I help the team with the game. That was all in my mind today. Nice to get a few runs.
(His thought process on his shot selection which got him out) I was really batting well until then. It was pure lapse in concentration. Nathan played brilliantly and Spons (Spencer) did an outstanding job with the bat."
Player of the Match: Josh Inglis
Cooper Connolly (Player of the Series):"(On conditions in the series) It's just about understanding the conditions and speaking to the guys how they are, taking in what I can, and also trusting my processes and going about them. Lucky enough to have some success this series, still a long way to go.
(On maturity as a young player) It's also about playing some cricket and getting to learn more, understanding the people around you. Luckily, I've got a good group around me, taking notes off everyone else and understanding how they go about things. Just trying to keep it simple and not getting too far ahead.
(On contributing with the ball) Yeah, contributing with the ball is nice, I'm just trying to contribute as much as I can and contribute in all departments for the team, playing my role as much as I can."
Player of the Series: Cooper Connolly
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe captain):"(On what was a good score) The way the ball started to turn I thought 280, 290 would be a par total. To make a game out of 272 was certainly a great effort, as a captain I am really proud. Yes, it really hurts, but there's lots to learn. Rather have a game like this than the Aussies to chase it down in 40 overs with 4 wickets down. Lot of positives as well, but this was the one that got away.
(On the wicket) It was a good wicket, expected a lot of turn, which it did, but overall a good wicket, most importantly, a great game of cricket.
(On when he believed they were in the game) We were always in the game. Any new guy would have found it difficult to get going, 3-4 dots would have made it difficult as well. Josh Inglis played really well through the middle, took it very well. The difference has been three hundreds have been scored by the Aussies and none by us, but the positives is a lot of fight showed today, with each game we have improved, and that makes me believe we can get there.
(On where they lagged behind) I think a lot can be said as three hundreds were scored by the Aussies and none by us. To win an ODI game, one of the top four has to get a hundred, which they did. Newman has a five-for, that is a positive. I thought Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans bowled really well, accompanied by the spinners. We just have to get all the components right and have to produce results, come the next ODI.
(On him becoming the leading run-scorer for Zimbabwe in ODI cricket) I didn't know that, I'm glad I didn't. A lot is riding on me, to not know these things is good for me"