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2027 World Cup preparation mode on; Australia to tour Zimbabwe for 3 ODIs

Anurag Dasgupta

Australia set to tour Zimbabwe [Source: @ZimCricketv/x.com] Australia set to tour Zimbabwe [Source: @ZimCricketv/x.com]

In the latest development, Australia have already started their World Cup 2027 preparations and will contest three ODIs against Zimbabwe in 2026. The Kangaroos will tour South Africa for the Test and the ODI series, and before that, the team will play three ODI games against one of the hosts of the World Cup 2027 - Zimbabwe.

As reported earlier by NewsCorp, the two sides will lock horns against each other in Harare, and possibly Bulawayo, as the defending World champions prepare for the marquee event in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the Zimbabwe Cricket Board is also pushing for a one-off Test to be included in the Australian schedule, but that idea has been rejected as the Aussie side has a packed Test schedule from mid-2026 till the Ashes series in England in 2027.

Australia to end their 8-year wait for Zimbabwe tour

It was in 2018 when the Aussies last toured Zimbabwe, and it was a T20I tour that also involved Pakistan. The ODI series between the two sides dates back to 2014, when they last played a 50-overs match.

The last time Australia and Zimbabwe collided in an ODI series, the Kangaroos prevailed as they clean-swept the hosts, rather easily.

Zimbabwe cricket chair hoping for Test series with Australia

The Zimbabwe cricket chair is actively pursuing the big nations like Australia and England to play Test matches with them as the board is negotiating with ECB and ACC for a possible breakthrough.

"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," ZC chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani told ESPNcricinfo.


"Playing against the best teams will help our players develop their skills in Test cricket. Understandably Australia wants to prepare for the World Cup, but hopefully we can play them in Test cricket in the future."

As of now, Australia cricket has rejected the idea of playing Test cricket on their next Zimbabwe tour, but if an opportunity arises, there could be a possibility for a clash in red-ball.