Aussie cricket star breaks Adam Gilchrist record with rare ODI feat not seen in 22 years

Matt Renshaw scored a historic century and broke cricket legend Adam Gilchrist's record in the process as Australia beat Zimbabwe by 59 runs in their ODI series opener. The Aussies won the toss and chose to bat first in Harare, where they piled on a commanding 8-294, thanks mostly to Renshaw (109 from 94 balls), who backed up his recent Test recall with a maiden one-day international century.

All-rounder Cooper Connolly also chipped in with a handy half century (51 from 46) batting at No.3, while Oliver Peake added a valuable 30 (off 40 balls) coming in down the order. Hosts Zimbabwe could only manage 235 in response after Aussie quick Nathan Ellis starred with the ball, taking a career-best 5-31 to help wrap up victory with 4.5 overs to spare.

Australia were in a spot of trouble on 4-107 when Renshaw came to the crease at No.6. With openers Travis Head (4), skipper Mitch Marsh (36) and Josh Inglis (4) all falling before Connolly's half century, it was up to Renshaw to lead the rescue act.

The 30-year-old responded brilliantly, smashing three sixes and seven fours and combining some slick running in his classy knock. Renshaw raced to his first ever ODI century off just 86 balls, breaking a 22-year-old record held by Gilchrist for the fastest against Zimbabwe by an Aussie. The legendary keeper-batter only managed it in 89 balls in Hobart in 2004.

Fans hail Matt Renshaw after record knock

It comes nine years after his only other century for Australia during a 2017 Test against Pakistan. And Renshaw's stunning knock saw him become the first Aussie batting at No.6 or lower to score an ODI century since Glenn Maxwell's unforgettable unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup.

Renshaw's innings finally came to an end when he was caught at deep mid-wicket off left-arm fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri. But the brilliant knock was celebrated by fans around the cricket world, with many calling on Aussie selectors to give the in-form batter an extended run in the Test side, for the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa.

"I just tried to rebuild the innings. We lost a few wickets (after) the boys started really well," said Renshaw, who took out the player-of-the-match award. "I did not feel under any scoring pressure. It was really nice. Pitch was nice. Ten years between international hundreds was not something I was expecting."

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