Zimbabwe host freshly confident Australia
Overview Zimbabwe v Australia Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
Match 3, T20 Tri-Series
Tuesday 3 July, 09:00 BST, 10:00 local
After some humbling limited overs outings on their tour of England, Australia were back to winning ways in the short format after inflicting a devastating defeat on T20 giants Pakistan, who had won their previous eight T20Is.
Towering fast bowler Billy Stanlake recorded startling figures of 4/8 from his four overs, while skipper Aaron Finch knocked off the runs in scintillating fashion, notching 68 from just 33 deliveries and guiding his side to a resounding nine-wicket victory.
His recent appointment as captain has not slowed down his personal runs-tally, but the Australian batting line-up, still finding their way after the temporary loss of Steve Smith and David Warner, must pull their weight should he fall cheaply.
Hosts Zimbabwe are looking to get off the mark in their home tri-series, as they fell at the hands of Pakistan in their opening match. The hosts were 74 runs short of Pakistan's 182/4, and they struggled to capitalise on a spirited bowling effort, bowled out for 108 inside 18 overs despite Tarisai Musakanda's impressive 43.
They must look to quell the threat of the Aussie quicks, and take advantage of a depleted Australian side. Injured fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have joined Smith and Warner on the list of absentees.
Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe): The 34-year old was recently appointed captain, and his influence – this will be his 54th T20I – will be vital if the hosts are to emerge victorious. He is nearing 1,500 runs in this format and will hopefully be able to harness the younger players, for whom this tri-series will be a fantastic learning process. Masakadza and 23-year old Tarisai Musakanda will occupy the prime batting slots at three and four, and the latter will be keen to build on his impressive 43 against Pakistan with another score on Tuesday.
Billy Stanlake (Australia): He's been a hit since his introduction into Australia's T20 side, and his extreme pace will be a cause for concern for the Zimbabweans. His imperious performance against the MRF ICC T20I Team Rankings, Pakistan, was indicative of his rapid rise in the shorter formats.
**SquadsZimbabwe:**Hamilton Masakadza (c), Ryan Burl, Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor (wk), Chris Mpofu, Ryan Murray, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzaraban, John Nyumbu, Malcolm Waller, Cephas Zhuwao.
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.