Australia will take on Zimbabwe in the first ODI in Harare [Source: AFP]After a not-so-impressive Test performance against Bangladesh, Australia embarks on a new journey as the Kangaroos will take on the hosts, Zimbabwe, in a three-match ODI series, starting on Tuesday, September 15. The series provides a great chance for both sides to fine-tune their lineup as the 2027 ODI World Cup will be played in similar conditions. Zimbabwe will be one of the host nations for the World Cup next year, and Australia will hope they acclimatise to the tricky conditions quickly.Australia have named a strong squad for the three-match ODI series; however, they’ll miss the services of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Even in their absence, the visitors will be relatively confident of winning the series. Here is Australia's ODI squad for the series against the Chevrons.Australia ODI squad vs ZimbabweMitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Adam ZampaAhead of the first ODI, we take a look at Australia’s predicted playing XI for the first ODI against Zimbabwe.Openers and top order: Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (C), Cooper ConollyTravis Head: Travis Head has blown hot and cold in recent months, but he still remains Australia’s best opener in this format. The left-handed opener can be an aggressive option at the top, and he can take the game away from Zimbabwe in the blink of an eye.Mitchell Marsh: The captain of the team in Pat Cummins’ absence, Mitch Marsh, will complement Head, as the left-right batting combination could be troublesome for the hosts. The Zimbabwean pitches will provide a bit of pace and bounce, and Marsh will relish the opportunity to take down their attack alongside Head.Cooper Connolly: Australia’s star in the last ODI series against Bangladesh, Cooper Connolly, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and was the century-maker for the Aussies on the ODI tour, and he will hope to continue the same domination against Zimbabwe.Middle order and all-rounders: Matthew Renshaw, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Alex CareyMatt Renshaw: Just like their top three, Australia’s middle-order is also explosive, and at number 4, the Aussies could place Matt Renshaw. He has had a phenomenal domestic campaign, and Renshaw also plays spin well, which could be beneficial for the visitors.Josh Inglis: The first of the two keepers in the playing XI, Josh Inglis, is an explosive option in the middle order, and he has the ability to play aggressively and counter the Zimbabwean pacers with his brute batting.Also Read: Zimbabwe ODI Squad vs Australia Announced, Brendan Taylor ReturnsCameron Green: A quality pace-bowling all-rounder in the middle overs, Green can play both as an anchor and an aggressor, and his style of bowling will suit the pace-friendly Harare Sports Club surface. Moreover, Green can be used as a flexible option in the middle order.Alex Carey: In recent years, Alex Carey has become Australia’s batting backbone across formats. In the ODI match against Zimbabwe, expect him to bat at number 7, and alongside Inglis and Green, he can don the finishing role with the bat.Bowlers: Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam ZampaXavier Bartlett: 19 wickets in just eight ODI matches, with an average of 15.73, define Xavier Bartlett’s career. In the absence of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, Bartlett has become a key member of the Australian ODI side, and he is expected to lead their bowling attack in the first ODI. Nathan Ellis: Ellis is one of the few pace bowlers who has the ability to take wickets in the middle overs, and he will once again be a crucial player in that role. Also, his yorkers in the death overs will come in handy for Australia against the Zimbabwean batters.Josh Hazlewood: Josh Hazlewood has been injury-prone in recent years, but when fully fit, he remains Australia’s best bowler. The tall pacer can use the Harare pitch to his advantage by extracting extra bounce to trouble the home team batters.Adam Zampa: Australia’s lone front-line spinner in the playing XI, Adam Zampa, will come in handy in the middle overs. Zimbabwe doesn’t have too many left-handed batters in their lineup, and that works in Zampa’s favour as he can trouble the righty batters with his brilliantly disguised googlies.Australia's predicted playing XI vs Zimbabwe- 1st ODI, 2026Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (C), Cooper Conolly, Matthew Renshaw, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam ZampaAlso Read: Abhishek Sharma Threatens Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Records In IND vs AFG 2nd T20I
