Australia‘s first ODI against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club produced a memorable milestone for Matt Renshaw, who turned a composed innings into his maiden century in the 50-over format. The left-handed batter anchored Australia’s lower-order fightback with an unbeaten-looking level of control before eventually falling for 109, helping the visitors reach 294/8 from their allotted 50 overs.
Matt Renshaw hits maiden ODI hundred against Zimbabwe
Renshaw brought up his first ODI hundred during the second delivery of the 48th over, completing the milestone with a single through the off side. Zimbabwe bowled a full toss outside off, and the Australian batter sliced it away for one run to reach three figures.
The achievement prompted an immediate celebration. Renshaw removed his helmet with a broad smile as his Australian teammates stood to applaud the effort. The spectators at Harare Sports Club also acknowledged the landmark with a gentle round of applause.
The century capped a mature contribution from Renshaw, who remained composed as Australia pushed towards a competitive total late in the innings.
Historic knock for Australia
Renshaw’s century also carried added significance in Australia’s ODI history. His 109 became the first century by an Australian batter coming in at No. 6 or lower since Glenn Maxwell’s remarkable 201 against Afghanistan at the Wankhede Stadium during the 2023 World Cup.
The innings also ended a long wait for an Australian century against Zimbabwe. Renshaw became the first Australian to score an ODI hundred against Zimbabwe since Michael Clarke made an unbeaten 105 at Harare in 2004.
His contribution therefore stood out not only because it was his maiden ODI hundred, but also because of the place it occupies among Australia’s previous performances against Zimbabwe.
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Here’s how fans reacted:
Well calculated innings and a great maiden ODI century by Matt Renshaw #ZimvsAus
— r o n | c m b (@roncmb) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw joins the three-figure club for the first time in ODI cricket 👏💯
📝: https://t.co/mrerHciEsb pic.twitter.com/WmYAZPejU0
— ICC (@ICC) September 15, 2026
What a magnificent ODI ton from Matt Renshaw👏#ZIMvAUS
— Kopite Kiran (@ynwa_kiruu) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw in ODIs is easily the most improved Australian batter across formats in the last 18 months
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) September 15, 2026
HUNDRED IN 86 BALLS FOR MATT RENSHAW.
– The sensational batting from RENSHAW 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/5EZcrL0Nul
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) September 15, 2026
🚨 HUNDRED FOR MATT RENSHAW 🚨
– He smashed a brilliant hundred off 86 balls in the 1st ODI against Zimbabwe – What an outstanding innings.#ZIMvAUS pic.twitter.com/g7IPgktESK
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) September 15, 2026
Really good knock from Renshaw . Best I’ve seen him bat
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) September 15, 2026
Maiden ODI hundred for Matt Renshaw and it’s been a brilliant one. Absolutely nailed the tempo right throughout the innings when Australia were in a tricky position.
Well played! 👏👏#ZIMvAUS
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) September 15, 2026
First ODI century for Matt Renshaw batting at No.6 pic.twitter.com/moVlREQaRx https://t.co/moVlREQaRx
— 🅰️BHIJEET (@TheYorkerBall) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw, what a player, I still feel sad that he made his debut in 2017 and still haven’t cemented his place in the national side but I believe, next 5 years belongs to him and if he continued playing like this then I won’t mind calling him New Mr. Cricket!
— kp (@pandey_kartikay) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw brings up his maiden ODI ton 💥💯#MattRenshaw #ZIMvAUS pic.twitter.com/zxgjzCCNWt
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw joins the three-figure club for the first time in ODI cricket 👏💯 pic.twitter.com/6aqTlh6y6s
— Muasharaf Parvaiz (@MuasharafP) September 15, 2026
MAIDEN 💯 FOR MATT RENSHAW!! pic.twitter.com/r0KVG3qg7M
— Malik Hassan. (@hazycraftss) September 15, 2026
https://twitter.com/Aayushmansmudge/status/2099817217701576824
Matt Renshaw brings up his first ODI century 10 years after making his international debut.
Made his Test Debut against SA in 2016 and only got to play his first ODI in 2025 against India.#ZIMvAUS pic.twitter.com/uIBanYNpzN
— 🅰️BHIJEET (@TheYorkerBall) September 15, 2026
So good seeing the evolution of Matt Renshaw the white ball cricketer #ZIMvAUS
— Arj G (@Arj_G_Photog) September 15, 2026
Maiden ODI hundred for Matt Renshaw and it’s been a brilliant one.
— • 𝒙 (@ItzNoodleHair) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw what an innings
— Mhukahuru🐘🐘🐘ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@tondechipunza) September 15, 2026
After a tough Bangladesh series 2 runs in 3 matches, including two ducks Matt Renshaw bounced back in his next ODI
Brilliant century against Zimbabwe, rescuing Australia from a difficult situation #MattRenshaw #Australia #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/kEAqxzK1Mr
— Vishal Yadav (@VishalY73709681) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw 💯🏏🏏
— Adam (@RooBoy10) September 15, 2026
Matt Renshaw brings up a stunning 💯!
86 balls, 100 runs what a knock under pressure! 🇦🇺🏏 pic.twitter.com/qFrBiAzmN3— Mr. Saif Khan (@Mr_Saif__Khan) September 15, 2026
Renshaw and Cooper Connolly Lift Australia to 294/8
Australia’s innings was built around Renshaw’s late acceleration and an important contribution from Cooper Connolly. Connolly added 51 from 46 deliveries, providing valuable support as Australia looked to build a strong total. Renshaw eventually departed for 109, with Zimbabwe seamer Newman Nyamhuri claiming the wicket. Nyamhuri was the standout bowler for the hosts, finishing with five wickets for 62 runs from his nine overs.
Despite Nyamhuri’s efforts, Zimbabwe could not prevent Australia from finishing with a sizeable score. The visitors closed their innings at 294/8 after 50 overs, with Renshaw’s century proving central to their recovery and final total.
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