Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

AUS vs ZIM 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs ZIM 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Townsville Pitch Report

For the first time in nearly two years, Australia will line up for a home ODI. For the first time in nearly 18 years, it will be Zimbabwe.

Originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19, Zimbabwe will finally get a taste of playing Australia in Australia. Conditions, however, are likely to be quite unusual for matches in this country, with spin likely to play a key role at the Riverway Stadium in Townsville.

Such conditions may help Zimbabwe as opposed to a fast, pacy track. In fact, they won their last ODI against Australia back in 2014 in conditions that suited spin in Harare. Expecting them do the same here against a near full-strength Australia side is a tough ask, but the Zimbabweans have ODI matches under their belt in recent times, whereas Australia are aiming to hit their groove right away.

In recent assignments, Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh 2-1 and pushed India all the way in the recent third ODI. If Sikandar Raza can continue his recent form, coupled with controlled efforts from the bowlers, anything is possible.

AUS vs ZIM 1st ODI Possible Playing XI

Australia could play two specialist spinners in Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar at Townsville. Pat Cummins is unavailable as he is rested.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. David Warner, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Alex Carey (wk), 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Ashton Agar/Sean Abbott, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Josh Hazlewood, 11. Adam Zampa

In a boost for Zimbabwe, lead seamer Blessing Muzarabani is back. However, Craig Ervine, Tendai Chatara and Wellington Masakadza are all unavailable due to injury.

Zimbabwe: 1. Innocent Kaia, 2. Takudzwanashe Kaitano, 3. Sean Williams, 4. Tony Munyonga/Wessley Madhevere, 5. Sikandar Raza, 6. Regis Chakabva (c & wk), 7. Ryan Burl, 8. Luke Jongwe, 9. Brad Evans, 10. Richard Ngarava, 11. Victor Nyauchi

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Australia:

• It’s a big series for Aaron Finch as he aims to find top form. The skipper averages 39.26 in 50 home ODIs with eight 50s and eight 100s.
• In 2018, Finch smashed 172 in a T20I vs Zimbabwe. Blessing Muzarabani and Ryan Burl played in that match.
• David Warner averages a strong 46.71 in 58 home ODIs at a strike rate of 100.26. He hits a 50+ score every three innings on average in Australia.
• Steve Smith will be aiming for a big series, especially when it comes to freeflowing strokeplay with doubts around his place in the T20 team. Smith averages 53.87 in 50 home ODIs, with nine fifties and eight hundreds.
• If Australia bats first and provides a platform, watch out for Glenn Maxwell. He strikes at 131.53 in ODIs where Australia bats first. Also, he had a strike rate of 140.35 in the five ODIs against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
• Zimbabwe will have to guard against Mitchell Starc, an ODI great. Starc is just five wickets away from 200 in ODIs, with this set to be his 100th match.
• Adam Zampa returns for Australia after missing the Sri Lanka tour. Since the start of 2020, Zampa has taken 38 wickets in 19 ODIs at an average of 23.97.

Zimbabwe:

• Sikandar Raza holds the key to Zimbabwe’s hopes. The all-rounder is in career-best form, with three hundreds in his last six ODIs. This includes a superb 95-ball 115 against India last week.
• Sean Williams is also key with his experience. He looked good in his last ODI, where he scored a 46-ball 45 vs India.
• Brad Evans had a terrific series against the Indians with bat and ball. The pacer took 5/54 in the last ODI, and also scored runs down the order: 33*, 9, 28.
• Blessing Muzarabani will be aiming to test the Aussies with his height. Also, he has the ability to take the ball away from the left-handers, so his battle with David Warner could be interesting.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 30, Australia 27, Zimbabwe 2, 1 N/R.
• The last time these two teams met in an ODI was in 2014. Zimbabwe won by three wickets.
• Marnus Labuschagne has scored 337 runs at an average of 84.25 across one List A match and two Sheffield Shield matches on this ground.

Riverway Stadium Townsville Pitch Report and Weather

Marnus Labuschagne expects the Townsville track to provide some assistance to the spinners, particularly as the series goes on. Last season, Queensland beat Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield on this ground, and spinner Matt Kuhnemann took ten wickets in the match.

In four List A matches on this ground, spinners concede 5.25 runs per over compared to 5.81 by the pacers.

The forecast for Townsville is partly cloudy with a top of 26 degrees.

AUS vs ZIM 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction 28 August 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

• Wicket-Keepers: Regis Chakabva
• Batsmen: David Warner, Steve Smith
• All-Rounders: Sikandar Raza, Glenn Maxwell
• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc

AUS vs ZIM 1st ODI Match Prediction: Who will win?

Australia to win.