Renshaw ton, Ellis five-for power Australia to 59-run win over Zimbabwe

The hosts had already been pushed onto the back foot after Ellis' two early wickets in the ninth over. They slipped further to 62-4 in the 14th over when Brendan Taylor attempted to take on Renshaw's off-spin and was caught by Josh Inglis behind the stumps.

Taylor was among three Zimbabwe players who had featured in their memorable victory over Australia when the two sides last met in an ODI in Zimbabwe in 2014.

Ervine and Raza then revived Zimbabwe's chase with a 98-run partnership from 104 balls, giving the hosts some hope of mounting a recovery. Ellis, however, returned to break the stand in the 31st over before adding two more lower-order wickets to complete his five-wicket haul.

Earlier, Renshaw helped Australia recover after they were reduced to 107-4 in the 18th over. He put on 72 runs with Alex Carey, who made 27, and another 74 with Oliver Peake, who scored 30, after captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to bat.

Raza had also wanted to bowl first on a surface carrying plenty of grass, but Australia's batters capitalised whenever Zimbabwe's bowlers dropped short.

Travis Head departed for four after dragging a delivery from Brad Evans onto his stumps from the fifth ball he faced. Marsh and Connolly then kept the scoreboard moving quickly during the powerplay.

Marsh struck six fours and a six during his 28-ball 36 before failing to clear Brian Bennett at cover, giving 20-year-old left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri his first wicket.

Renshaw built his innings through effective strike rotation, collecting 49 singles and seven twos. His century also included seven fours and three sixes.

Zimbabwe missed several opportunities in the field. Nyamhuri could have dismissed Connolly on 41, but Bennett put down a straightforward chance. Connolly then received another reprieve when he was caught behind off a Raza no-ball. He went on to reach his half-century from the subsequent free hit before Raza bowled him shortly afterwards.

Renshaw also benefited from a missed opportunity when he was on 12, with Ervine dropping him at mid-wicket from another Raza no-ball.

The left-hander reached his fifty from 55 deliveries before accelerating, needing only another 33 balls to complete his century.

Nyamhuri finished with his maiden five-wicket haul in the final over when Renshaw mistimed a shot towards the leg side and was caught at deep mid-wicket. Australia added 66 runs in the final 10 overs to finish on 294-8.

The series forms part of defending champions Australia's preparations for next year's World Cup. Regular captain Pat Cummins has been rested for the three ODIs against Zimbabwe and is expected to rejoin the squad in South Africa for three ODIs and the Test matches.

Zimbabwe playing 11: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor(w), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza(c), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani

Australia playing 11: Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

Zimbabwe full squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere

Australia full squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa