Australia to Tour Zimbabwe for Three ODIs in 2026 Ahead of Packed Test Schedule
Australia are set to play a three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe in 2026, marking a rare bilateral meeting between the sides as both teams prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, to be staged in southern Africa. The series—expected to be confirmed soon—will take place before Australia’s Test and ODI tour of South Africa pencilled in for September–October 2026.
The matches are slated for Harare and possibly Bulawayo, with the new 10,000-seat venue at Victoria Falls not expected to be completed in time.
No Test Match Despite Zimbabwe’s Push
Zimbabwe Cricket had lobbied for a one-off Test to be added to the tour, hoping to create a marquee event. However, Australia’s intense Test calendar—at least 19 Tests between mid-2026 and the 2027 Ashes—has ruled it out. With Zimbabwe co-hosting the 2027 World Cup with South Africa and Namibia, an ODI series is seen as essential preparation for both sides.
Australia and Zimbabwe have played just three Tests in history, the last two in October 2003, a series remembered for Matthew Hayden’s 380 at the WACA, then a world record. The only Test played in Zimbabwe came in 1999, where Australia won by ten wickets in wicketkeeper Ian Healy’s final Test.
Australia’s First ODIs in Zimbabwe Since 2014
The 2026 ODIs will mark Australia’s first 50-over matches in Zimbabwe since 2014 and their first visit of any kind since a T20 tri-series in 2018 involving Pakistan.
England Could Also Visit Zimbabwe
While Australia won’t play Tests on this trip, Zimbabwe officials remain hopeful. Power brokers believe England may play a one-off Test in Zimbabwe during their late-2026 to early-2027 South Africa tour, ideally at the new Victoria Falls stadium—Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium.
England and Zimbabwe ended a 22-year Test hiatus earlier this year with a four-day match at Trent Bridge. They have played only two Tests in Zimbabwe, both during a drawn series in 1996.
Zimbabwe Targeting a Bigger Role in Next WTC Cycle
With discussions ongoing around a 12-team, one-division World Test Championship, Zimbabwe hope structural changes will give countries outside the current nine-team cycle—Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland—more opportunities.
ZC chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to Test cricket:
“We are a Test nation, so playing the top countries like Australia and England at home will go a long way to making this format popular in Zimbabwe. Understandably Australia wants World Cup preparation, but hopefully we can play them in Test cricket in the future.”
He added that Zimbabwe intend to host longer Test series in the next WTC cycle rather than only one-off games:
“Some countries might just play a minimum number of Tests, but we are hoping to play more. We will aim to stage two or more Test match series against the likes of Australia and England.”
The ODI series against Australia marks another step in Zimbabwe Cricket’s strategy to secure more top-tier international fixtures by encouraging teams to stop over en route to South Africa.