Following Australia’s one-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the final One Day International (ODI), wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis expressed satisfaction with the close contest, highlighting its value as preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which commences in just over a year.
Inglis played a crucial role in the tense chase of 272 runs, scoring an innings of 103 runs off 102 balls, marking his second ODI century. However, it was pacer Nathan Ellis, unbeaten on 36 from 44 deliveries with two fours and a six, and Spencer Johnson, who scored an unbeaten 7 runs, that ultimately secured the win for Australia with a ball to spare. The finish came after Zimbabwe mounted a late resurgence, having reduced Australia to 246 for nine wickets.
Australia’s victory completed a series sweep. More importantly, the manner of the win was significant for the team’s efforts to refine their 50-over lineup in anticipation of the Cricket World Cup 2027, to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Inglis emphasised the benefit of experiencing such situations well ahead of the tournament. “I think we are going to get in those situations again. 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 will have a better idea of how to go about that situation again next time it arises,” he said.
The 31-year-old also acknowledged his role adjustment in adapting to the longer format. “We just play a lot of T20 cricket now, and it is just me finding the right tempo for one-day cricket, and I think I sort of found that today. Playing in a slightly different role with a younger team, I have probably got to take some more responsibility in batting at No. 4,” Inglis stated.
He walked in at 25 for two and took on greater responsibility through the middle overs, aiming to maintain the scoreboard and be present towards the end of the innings. “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. I was not there right at the end, but to get there until the 40th over and get a hundred, I’m happy with it,” he added.
Inglis credited Nathan Ellis for his valuable contribution with the bat. “I know it [his batting] is something he works on a lot. 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,” he said, referring to Ellis hitting the first ball of the final over for six to move Australia closer to victory.