Australia have won their first toss of the one-day tri-series in Harare and elected to bat first against Zimbabwe.

In the three other matches played so far, the captain who has won the toss has sent the other team in with batting conditions improving in the hot African afternoon sun.

However, Michael Clarke wants his outfit to spend time in the middle and put runs on the board against their lesser-quality opponents.

Clarke is back from two matches out with a hamstring injury, while spinner Nathan Lyon has been recalled to take advantage of the slow conditions.

In a third change to the Australian side that lost their last match to South Africa by seven wickets, Queensland pace bowler Ben Cutting gets his first start of the tour in place of Kane Richardson.

Clarke comes in for Steve Smith and selectors have taken the chance to rest Mitchell Johnson to fit Lyon back in the XI.

Australia can secure a place in Saturday’s final against South Africa by defeating No.10 ranked Zimbabwe.

The hosts fared well against the Proteas two days ago, bowling them out for 231, with spinner Prosper Utseya taking five wickets including a hat-trick.

However they didn’t have the batting quality to chase down the target.

Phil Hughes gets another chance to cash in on his hot form at the top of the order, alongside Aaron Finch who has a century and a half century to start the series.

Clarke will bat at No.3 in his return, pushing Mitchell Marsh back to No.6.

Australia: Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Ben Cutting, Nathan Lyon.

Zimbabwe: Tino Mawoyo, Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Prosper Utseya, John Nyumbu, Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano