Australia vs Zimbabwe, AUS vs ZIM, Today Match Prediction 03 September 2022

aus vs zim Match Prediction & Analysis

Zimbabwe’s tour of Australia has been a pretty one-sided affair so far with the hosts dominating the visitors completely. Following a 200-10 score in the 1st ODI, Chakabva’s team was reduced to 96 runs in the next game after Australia put them to bat first. 

The key players in the Zimbabwe team such as Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, and Wesley Madhevere failed to put in a consolidated effort with the bat. The 21-year-old Madhevere, a rising talent in the Zimbabwe team played a 72-runs knock in the 1st ODI at number 3.

However, the rest of the batting order has failed big time. The venue for this ODI series, Tony Ireland Stadium, is a low-scoring one. Without winning the toss and opting to bowl first, there seems to be no chance for Zimbabwe to win the last ODI of the series.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Australia Preview

Australia will be pleased with their bowlers. Unlike most other teams who rest their key players when playing against a team like Zimbabwe, Australia fielded their best players.

The likes of Starc, Hazlewood, and Zampa would be tough for any batting lineup in the world to deal with. No prizes to guess who came out on top when the visitors faced this bowling attack. 

Chris Green picked a fifer in the first ODI cleaning up the middle and lower-order of Zimbabwe's batting lineup. Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc have been among the wicket-takers while Hazlewood continues to impress with his brilliant economy.

Given the average 1st innings score at this venue in ODIs, Aaron Finch is least likely to opt to bat first if Australia win the toss in the final match of the series.

The only way the Aussie batting lineup could be tested is for Zimbabwe to win the toss. Chasing a low total of 97 runs in the last game, Australia were two down for 16 in the 3rd over as they lost Warner and Finch in just 3 deliveries. 

Whereas, in the first ODI, it was Smith and Warner who laid the foundation for the run-chase while the middle-order of Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis crumbled. 

Maxwell took Aussies home with his 9-balls 32-runs knock while Smith stayed unbeaten on 48 off 80 deliveries.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Steven Smith, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Zimbabwe Preview

Chakabva will be expecting the experienced players in his side to step up and rise to the occasion. Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza are the most impactful batters in this lineup. Ryan Burl is an attacking batsman in the middle-order. However, his role, for now, would be changed given the batting conditions at this venue.

His presence in the lower order adds depth to this Zimbabwe lineup. The middle order looks solid with Williams, Raza, and skipper Chakabva from number 4 to number 6.

Madhevere at number 3, is a promising young batsman and showed his mettle with a 72-runs in the 1st ODI which is the highest individual score of this series so far. 

While there is no dearth of talent and potential in Zimbabwe, the challenges are far too many. From the pitch to the Aussie bowling attack, the level of difficulty for Zimbabwe batters to score well is way too high.

Nevertheless, their bowlers present a ray of hope. Richard Ngrava bagged two wickets in an over showing the impact he could have on the match if the visitors were to bowl first.

Muzarabani and Luke Jongwe along with the variety of all-rounders in the squad including Raza, Williams, and Burl, skipper Chakabva has many bowling options to choose from. 

Zimbabwe Predicted Playing XI:

Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Tony Munyonga, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (c & wk), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava

Zimbabwe Actual Playing XI:

Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans, Victor Nyauchi, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tony Munyonga, Regis Chakabva, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast for the match day is partly cloudy at 26 degree Celsius. The pitch has a lot to offer for the bowlers and batting here is not easy

Venue Details

The match will be played at Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville. Only 4 matches have been played at this venue so far. The average 1st innings score at this ground is 189 runs. 

Toss: To Bowl

The average 1st innings score here is very low at under 200 runs. Teams batting first have won all of the 4 matches played here. It is an obvious choice to bowl first after winning the toss.