HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Nathan Ellis made sure Josh Inglis’ second ODI century didn’t go to waste as Australia completed a 3-0 cricket series sweep against Zimbabwe with a thrilling one-wicket victory with one ball remaining on Sunday.

No. 9 batter Ellis made an unbeaten 36 off 44 balls in the third and final ODI to carry Australia to 272-9 in a successful chase that included Inglis’ 103 off 102 but had looked like ending in failure.

“Great game of cricket,” Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said. “I thought Zimbabwe probably deserved to win, but the boys got the job done at the end there and that was fantastic to see.”

Zimbabwe, which earlier won the toss and scored 271-8 in its 50 overs, was heading for a consolation win when Inglis was clean bowled by skipper Sikandar Raza in the 42nd over. Australia still needed 45 more runs for victory.

Brad Evans (4-47 in 10 overs) reduced the tourists to 245-9 when he dismissed Adam Zampa in the 46th over.

Australia completes cricket series sweep with 1-wicket win against Zimbabwe in 3rd ODI | iNFOnews.ca — Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh, center, reacts after his teammate Nathan Ellis during the third one day international cricket match between Zimbabwe and Australia in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Wonder Mashura)

But Ellis and Spencer Johnson (7 not out) shared an exciting last-wicket stand, which saw Wessly Madhevere drop Ellis in the penultimate over.

With nine needed off the final over, Madhevere got a chance to redeem himself but Ellis smashed the spinner for a six off the first ball and then sealed the game by chipping the spinner over midwicket for the winning single off the fifth ball.

‘The one that got away’

“I thought 280-290 was par with the bat so to make a game out of 272 was a great effort,” Raza said. “As a captain I’m really proud … I’d rather have a game like that than for the Aussies to just chase it down in 40 overs. A lot of positives but it’s the one that got away.”

Australia beat the home team by 59 runs in the opening match and followed it up with an 84-run victory in the second game.

Evans put Australia in early trouble when he removed Marsh (8) and Travis Head (6) in his first two overs. Cooper Connolly (21) fell in the 13th over off a perfect leg break from Graeme Cremer — playing in his first ODI after eight years.

Inglis and Alex Carey (34) then dominated the spinners with their sweeps and reverse sweep shots in a 85-run stand and a scrappy Zimbabwe in the field.

Madhevere dropped Inglis at point before the batter completed his half century. Evans broke the stand in his return spell when he dismissed Carey for the third time in the series as Madhevere held onto a blinder at point to provide Zimbabwe the much needed breakthrough.

Australia’s middle-order got tangled up against Zimbabwe’s spinners and slipped to 206-7 when Cremer had Xavier Bartlett lbw for 3. Inglis held one end up and raised his century off 94 balls with 11 fours before he tried to countercharge Raza.

Batters at ease

Raza earlier ensured Zimbabwe got its second highest total batting against Australia in ODIs with an unbeaten 81. Innocent Kaia (55 retired hurt) and Craig Ervine (59) also scored valuable half centuries on a wicket where batters looked at ease in the day game.

Raza’s decision to bat first for the first time in the series after winning the toss appeared to have paid off and his team reached 148-2 in the 29th over before Kaia retired hurt with a hamstring injury.

Ervine and Raza set up Zimbabwe for a strong finish at 206-3 in 40 overs. But Australia allowed only 65 runs off the final 60 balls through some splendid bowling by Ellis, who took 3-50, and Johnson with 2-50.

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