Heartbreak for Zimbabwe as Australia's Nathan Ellis snatches victory from the jaws of defeat

Hunting a consolation victory, the hosts had Australia on the ropes at the death, but tailenders Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson combined for 27 runs off the final 27 balls to sneak the narrowest of victories.

Chasing 271 for victory on a slow pitch, the visitors were in trouble early. Dangermen Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh were back in the hut by the fourth over, the score 25/2.

Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly patched things up with a brisk run-and-ball 50 partnership that was broken by veteran tweaker Graeme Cremer who clean bowled Connolly.

Inglis and Alex Carey then threatened to take the match away from Zimbabwe, but when Carey fell for 34, wickets would continue to fall at regular intervals. The required run rate was under control, but centurion Inglis soon found himself batting with the tail, and Sikandar Raza lifted Zimbabwean hopes when he bowled Inglis (103) in the 42nd over.

Ellis, fresh off taking three wickets in the first innings, strapped on the pads and reported for duty. Australia were then nine down in the 46th, leaving Ellis with last-man Johnson. Wessly Madhevere dropped Ellis in the deep with nine balls to spare and was then tasked with bowling the final over with eight to defend.

Cricket is cruel and today its victim was Madhevere, as Ellis spanked him over his head for six on the first ball. With just one ball to spare, he chipped over midwicket for the winning run, cuing agony for the Zimbabwe players and fans.  

Earlier, Zimbabwe were well poised to get closer to 300 but were set back by Innocent Kaia's forced retirement.

Openers Brian Bennet and Ben Craan put on 34 for the first wicket before the brilliant Nathan Ellis dismissed the former. Bennet (30) was soon to follow in the ninth over after nurdling one down legside into Inglis' gloves.

A brilliant piece of deception from legspinner Adam Zampa got rid of Brendan Taylor, completely castling him. That brought Craig Irvine to the crease and together with Kaia's consistency, they went to work. The pair took Zimbabwe past the 100 mark and put gether a brisk 80 off 87 before Kaia pulled his hamstring and went off.

Captain Raza came to the crease and Zimbabwe continued their momentum. At 209/3 with ten overs remaining, the hosts were set for launch, but a flurry of late wickets pinned them back.

Zampa started the rot, with Ervine (59) holding out in the deep trying to take him on. From there, Raza was man alone as wickets continued to fall around him. But he produced a captain's innings to finish unbeaten on 81 from 72 and get his side to a defendable total.

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