Australia and Zimbabwe are scheduled to play a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series in Zimbabwe next year, as per a report by Cricinfo. This series will take place ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Namibia.
Australia to make first Zimbabwe Tour since 2014
Before Australia's main Test and ODI tour of South Africa, provisionally earmarked for September-October 2026, the team will make a brief stopover in Zimbabwe for these ODIs. The series, which was initially reported by News Corp and is likely to be officially announced soon, is expected to be played in Harare and potentially Bulawayo. However, the anticipated flagship 10,000-seat stadium at Victoria Falls is not expected to be ready in time.
Australia to tour Zimbabwe after 12 years
Despite the upcoming ODI series, the long drought between the two nations in Test cricket is set to continue. Zimbabwe Cricket had reportedly been pushing for a one-off Test match to be included as a major highlight of the tour, but this will not materialize. This is primarily due to Australia's already demanding Test schedule, with the team set to play at least 19 Tests from mid-2026 leading up to the 2027 Ashes tour. The ODI series is nonetheless considered crucial preparation for Australia, given Zimbabwe's role as a co-host for the next 50-over World Cup.
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The historical Test rivalry between Australia and Zimbabwe consists of only three matches. Their last two Tests occurred in October 2003, a short series most famously remembered for Matthew Hayden's then-world record score of 380 in the first Test at the WACA. The sole Test played in Zimbabwe was in 1999, where the Steve Waugh-led Australian team secured a 10-wicket victory in what turned out to be the final Test match for wicketkeeper Ian Healy. This upcoming ODI series will mark Australia's return to Zimbabwe for the 50-over format after an eight-year absence, with their last ODI appearance there being in 2014, although they did participate in a T20 tri-series, also featuring Pakistan, in 2018.
While the pause on Test cricket between Australia and Zimbabwe is set to continue, Zimbabwe's cricketing leadership remains optimistic about hosting England for a one-off Test match. This fixture is anticipated to be scheduled as an extension of England's tour to South Africa in late 2026 or early 2027. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is particularly hopeful that this landmark match could be played at the new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium at Victoria Falls, making it a major showpiece event.
This potential match follows the recent ending of a 22-year Test drought between England and Zimbabwe, which was marked by a four-day match at Trent Bridge this past May. Historically, the two countries have only competed against each other in seven Test matches. Of those, only two have been played in Zimbabwe, which resulted in a 0-0 drawn series back in December 1996.
Zimbabwe Cricket has been proactively working to encourage teams to make a stopover in the country while traveling for tours to neighboring South Africa. The ZC power brokers had long targeted late 2026 as a prime opportunity to successfully negotiate these rare and high-profile fixtures with major nations like Australia and England.