Raza to lead Zimbabwe as Aussies seek ODI 'redemption'

Sikandar Raza, the mastermind of Zimbabwe's shock World Cup win over Australia, will take the ODI captaincy reins as all the major players from that T20 upset were named to face the reigning 50-over champions this week.

Australia have vowed to seek redemption in their first visit to Zimbabwe in 12 years after the Chevrons toasted a famous victory over Mitch Marsh's side in February in Colombo. T20I captain Raza oversaw the triumph and will now fill in for ODI skipper Richard Ngarava, who is missing with a back complaint.

Other stars of that 23-run win that essentially knocked Australia out of the tournament – Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brad Evans and Blessing Muzarabani – have all been picked in an experienced squad for the bilateral one-dayers beginning Tuesday.

Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere

The Pakistan-born Raza is in fact one of four Zimbabweans who will be aged 40 or over by the end of the series. Along with 41-year-old Craig Ervine, fellow veteran Brendan Taylor (40) has been recalled for his first ODIs in a year, while leg-spinner Graeme Cremer (who turns 40 between the second and third ODIs) could end an eight-year ODI absence.

"We've played them a little bit now, and I guess you could say we've built up a little bit of a rivalry," Ellis said in Harare on Sunday of a Zimbabwe team that also beat Australia in a 2022 ODI in Townsville.

"They've had the wood over us more recently at the T20 World Cup. So excited to not only try and get a little bit of redemption, but also start building towards the one-day World Cup (co-hosted by Zimbabwe) in a year or so.

"There are no easy beats. I think people can have that perception at times, but it doesn't feel that way in our changeroom."

Zimbabwe Cricket said Taylor and Marumani will share wicketkeeping duties. Gloveman Clive Madande has been left out, while paceman Tanaka Chivanga is out with an Achilles concern.

Double Jansen for South Africa ODIs

South Africa meanwhile have suffered another blow to their pace stocks after Ottneil Baartman joined Kagiso Rabada on the injury ward.

Baartman has been ruled out of next week's ODI series against Australia due to a hamstring concern suffered during the opening round of the domestic first-class season.

Duan Jansen, a towering left-arm seam-bowling allrounder like his twin brother Marco, has been called in as a replacement.

Baartman is uncapped at Test level but, if fit, could be in contention to make his debut against Australia next month, particularly if spearhead Rabada misses the series.

Qantas tour of Zimbabwe 2026

First ODI: September 15, Harare Sports Club, 5:30pm AEST (9:30am local)

Second ODI: September 18, Harare Sports Club, 5:30pm AEST (9:30am local)

Third ODI: September 20, Harare Sports Club, 5:30pm AEST (9:30am local)

Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), 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 Zampa

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First ODI: September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 9:30pm AEST (D/N, 1:30pm local)

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, 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, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Warm-up match: October 3-4, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 6pm AEST (10am local)

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster