Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI vs AUS. [Source - Zimbabwe Cricket/X]Zimbabwe are set to face Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday, September 15. The match will be played at Harare Sports Club as Australia return to Zimbabwe for their first ODI in the country since 2014.The series is important for both the sides as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia. With the World Cup coming closer, Zimbabwe will look to field a solid playing XI against a strong Australian side.Zimbabwe vs Australia 1st ODI PreviewZimbabwe will be led by Sikandar Raza in the three-match ODI series against Australia. The hosts will enter the opening game with a balanced squad after beating Bangladesh 2-1 in their last ODI series, hoping to continue that winning form.Australia, meanwhile, will arrive with a strong squad despite the absence of captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head bring plenty of experience, while several young players add further depth to the side.Australia have won eight of the nine ODIs against Zimbabwe and will be confident of maintaining their strong record. With both teams preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup, here is Zimbabwe’s predicted XI for the first ODI against Australia.Openers and Top Order– Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Brendan TaylorBen Curran has been Zimbabwe’s best ODI batter since 2025, scoring 444 runs at an average of 74. His tally includes two centuries and two fifties, making him an important part of Zimbabwe’s top-order against Australia.Brian Bennett is expected to partner Curran at the top of the order. He has scored 291 runs at an average of 36.37 in ODIs since 2025 and will look to give Zimbabwe a strong start in the series opener.Brendan Taylor is likely to return to Zimbabwe’s ODI playing XI at No. 3. The veteran batter has played 207 ODIs and scored 6,704 runs, bringing plenty of experience to the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI against Australia for 1st ODI.Middle-order and All-rounders– Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Ryan BurlCraig Ervine is expected to start at No. 4 and will bring experience to Zimbabwe’s middle-order. The left-hander scored just 14 runs across three innings in the last series against Bangladesh and will be looking to find his form against Australia.Sikandar Raza will slot in at No. 5 and is one of Zimbabwe’s most reliable batters at Harare Sports Club. He is the second-highest ODI run-scorer at the venue with 2,114 runs, including five centuries, the most by a Zimbabwe batter there.Also Read: Zimbabwe ODI Squad vs Australia Announced, Brendan Taylor ReturnsWessly Madhevere is likely to take up the finishing role at No. 6 in Zimbabwe's predicted playing XI vs Australia in 1st ODI and will be expected to add quick runs in the latter stages of the innings.Ryan Burl is expected to bat at No. 7 and will provide further depth to the Zimbabwe batting order. The leg-spin all-rounder can also move up the order if required, giving the hosts another flexible option in the middle and lower middle-order.Bowlers– Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman NyamhuriBrad Evans will provide Zimbabwe with a pace-bowling all-round option at No. 8. He scored 111 runs in the Bangladesh series and overall, has been in good all-round form in limited overs cricket lately.Wellington Masakadza will be the left-arm spin option forming the spin attack alongside Sikandar Raza’s off-spin. He has 33 ODI wickets and will be important through the middle-overs.Blessing Muzarabani will lead the pace attack. The star pacer has been Zimbabwe’s second-best bowler since 2025 in this format with 11 ODI wickets during this period.Newman Nyamhuri is likely to feature as the left-arm pace option in Richard Ngarava’s absence. He has five wickets from six ODIs and will add variety to the attack in Zimbabwe's predicted playing XI vs Australia in 1st ODI.Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Australia– 1st ODI, 2026Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Brandon Taylor (WK), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (C), Wessly Madhevere, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani and Newman Nyamhuri.Also Read: Jay Shah's ICC Hands Brutal Punishment To Pakistan Amid Asia Cup Trophy Drama
