Hazlewood rested as Australia returns to Zimbabwe after 12 years
Cameron Green and Josh Hazlewood sit out the series-opening ODI as Australia manages players for Test cricket next month.
Australia played its first one-day international in Zimbabwe since 2014 on Tuesday at Harare Sports Club, with captain Mitch Marsh marking his 100th ODI appearance. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was rested as selectors keep him fresh for the three-Test series against South Africa beginning next month.
All-rounder Cameron Green missed the match with right shoulder soreness, though the Australian camp says the injury is not serious and he was completing running drills before play. Spencer Johnson returned to the national 50-over squad for the first time in 18 months.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat on what locals described as an unusually grassy surface at Harare Sports Club.
- 12
- Years since last visit
- 100th appearance
- Marsh's ODI milestone
- 18 months
- Johnson's absence
Why it mattersAustralia is managing its star players strategically, treating the Zimbabwe ODIs as warm-up cricket ahead of a crucial Test series that will shape the Test summer.
AustraliaAustralian cricket fans will see a rotated squad with younger players getting ODI time while senior bowlers prepare for the Tests that matter most for Australia's ranking and standing in the sport.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 9 d ago
