Zimbabwe vs Australia 2nd ODI will be played in Harare [Source: AFP]Zimbabwe had a disappointing start to the ODI series against Australia on home soil. Led by Sikandar Raza, the Chevrons went down to the visitors by a convincing margin of 59 runs despite showing fight with bat and ball. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia posted a respectable score of 294 runs, riding on Matt Renshaw's historic century. In response, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235 runs, although Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza slammed valiant half-centuries. So, moving on to the must-win second ODI, the hosts would like to rearrange their line-up a bit to bring out the best from their players, especially the top-order batters. Zimbabwe's top four collectively managed only 47 runs in the series opener, playing a significant role in their comprehensive defeat at the Harare Sports Club. On that note, here's the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia for the second ODI, with the home team desperately searching for a victory to stay alive in the series. Openers and Top Order: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor (WK)CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableBennett-Curran pair in ODIsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableTaylor at 3SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableInningsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table9SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table35SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRunsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table361SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table1278SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAverageSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table40.11SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table41.23SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table50s/100sSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2/1SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table7/3SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHighest scoreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table124SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table125SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableYoung opener Brian Bennett would be keen to convert his start into an impactful score after being dismissed for 25 runs in the first ODI. Overall, he has 396 ODI runs under his belt at a strike rate of 89.59. Bennett has formed a robust opening stand with Ben Curran, who makes it into the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia for the second ODI despite registering a duck in the first game. Ben Curran has had an outstanding ODI career so far, amassing 471 runs, including two hundreds, at an average of 47.1 in 12 innings. On the other hand, Brendan Taylor might be promoted to the number three slot, having amassed 1278 runs in 35 innings at an average of 41.23, his best among all batting positions in ODIs. Innocent Kaia, who batted at 3 in the first Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI, could warm the bench for averaging only 21.18 and striking at an abysmal rate of 61.48 across 12 innings since 2023. Middle Order And All-Rounders: Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (C), Wessly Madhevere, Ryan Burl, Brad EvansCraig Ervine is one of Zimbabwe's most successful ODI batters with 3673 runs in 128 innings. He slammed a fighting fifty in the first match and retains his place in the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia for the 2nd ODI. Sikandar Raza has been impactful at number five, scoring 2060 runs at an average of 47.91 and a strike rate of 86.77 in 54 ODI innings. The skipper will also play a key role with the ball, having scalped 96 wickets in the format. Also Read: 22 Years And Counting! Zimbabwe Legend Breaks Sachin Tendulkar's Record For Longest ODI CareerHard-hitting allrounder Wessly Madhevere struck a blazing 75-run knock in the third ODI against Bangladesh. Therefore, although he managed 22 runs in the last game, Madhevere keeps his position in the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia for the 2nd ODI. If Innocent Kaia gets dropped for his persistent lean patch, it'll open the door for Ryan Burl's ODI comeback. The swashbuckling southpaw adds great value to the Zimbabwean lineup, having accumulated 938 runs and bagged 19 wickets in 52 matches. Brad Evans is one of the first-choice picks in the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia for the 2nd ODI. Evans, who dismissed Travis Head in the last game, has 258 runs and 22 wickets under his belt in 21 ODI matches. Bowlers: Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing MuzarabaniWellington Masakadza is the first-choice spinner in the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia, with the final appearance of his competitor Graeme Cremer dating back to March 2018. He has 33 ODI wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.93. Newman Nyamhuri bagged a record-breaking five-wicket haul in the first ODI. So, he is one of the integral members of the Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia. Blessing Muzarabani, the Chevrons' most potent seam option with 74 wickets in 58 innings, makes it into the playing XI as the opening bowler alongside Brad Evans. Zimbabwe predicted playing XI vs Australia- 2nd ODI, 2026Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor (WK), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (C), Wessly Madhevere, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing MuzarabaniAlso Read: Auqib Nabi's List A Record Before India vs West Indies ODIs
