Josh Inglis says Zimbabwe thriller will aid World Cup plans

Josh Inglis believes Australia’s one-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Harare has given the side valuable experience for pressure situations it could face at next year’s World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batter made 103 from 102 balls in the final ODI, but had to watch a tense finish after his dismissal left Australia still needing 45 with only two wickets in hand.

Australia reached 272 for 9 with one ball remaining in pursuit of 272, sealing a 3-0 ODI series sweep in a finish driven by Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson. Inglis said the experience of navigating such a tight chase, particularly for the players involved at the end, could prove important with the World Cup 12 months away.

Inglis was frustrated not to finish the job himself, having fallen after running past a Sikandar Raza delivery, but he was satisfied with the way he constructed his second ODI century. His innings came after he had missed out in the first two matches of the series and gave Australia a crucial platform in a chase that ultimately went down to the final over.

Inglis sees value in pressure finish

When Inglis was dismissed, Australia still needed 45 runs and had just two wickets left. Adam Zampa’s wicket then left Ellis and Johnson needing to find 27. The final pair got Australia over the line, with Ellis finishing unbeaten on 36, his highest score in List A cricket, while Johnson contributed 7 from 13 balls.

“I think it’s really important,” Inglis said of the close finish. “I think we’re going to get in those situations again, and for those guys to have done that today with a World Cup 12 months away, it will leave a good feeling with them, and they’ll have a better idea of how to go about that situation again next time it arises.”

It was Australia’s second one-wicket victory in their past four ODIs. They had also scrambled over the line against Bangladesh in Mirpur earlier in the year, adding another example of the side surviving a high-pressure chase.

The decisive final over began with nine required. Ellis launched the first ball from Wessly Madhevere over long-on, shortly after he had been dropped in the deep. That shot put Australia on the front foot and helped turn the finish in their favour.

Inglis highlighted Ellis’ work with the bat and the value of that opening blow in the final over. “I know it is something he works on a lot,” Inglis said. “He obviously plays a lot of T20 cricket, and when he comes into bat, he has got the ability to hit a long ball. It was a great shot and got us on the front foot in that last over.”

A century and a new batting responsibility

For Inglis, the century was also a positive step in finding his one-day tempo. He said the prevalence of T20 cricket meant he was still working on the right pace for the 50-over format, while his role at No. 4 with a younger Australian side required him to accept greater responsibility.

“The way I wanted to play was to sort of own those middle overs, just keep the scoreboard ticking over and be there towards the end,” Inglis said. “I wasn’t there right at the end, but to get there until the 40th over and get a hundred, I’m happy with it.”

Australia now move on to South Africa for another three-match ODI series before the Tests next month. Pat Cummins, the official ODI captain, and Mitchell Starc are set to link up with the squad as they use the one-day matches as part of their Test preparation. Billy Stanlake suffered a side strain in the second match in Harare and his tour is likely over.