Australia and Zimbabwe will not return to Test cricket soon. But they will play a three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe next year before the 2027 World Cup in southern Africa.
Australia will stop in Zimbabwe for the three ODIs before their Test and ODI tour of South Africa in September and October 2026. News Corp first reported this plan. An official announcement should come soon.
The matches will take place in Harare, and maybe in Bulawayo. The 10,000-seat ground at Victoria Falls is unlikely to be ready in time. Zimbabwe Cricket had asked for one Test match during the tour. They wanted it to be the highlight of the visit. But it will not happen. Australia have a busy Test calendar. They will play at least 19 Tests from mid-2026 to the 2027 Ashes. Australia also see the ODI series as key preparation for the next 50-over World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
Australia and Zimbabwe have played only three Tests against each other. The last two were in October 2003. That series is remembered for Matthew Hayden’s 380 at the WACA. Their only Test in Zimbabwe took place in 1999. Steve Waugh’s Australia won by ten wickets. It was Ian Healy’s final Test.
The ODI series will mark Australia’s return to Zimbabwe after eight years. Australia last played ODIs there in 2014. Their most recent tour was a T20 tri-series with Pakistan in 2018.
Test cricket between the nations remains on hold. But Zimbabwe officials believe England will visit for a one-off Test in late 2026 or early 2027. The match could take place at Victoria Falls, now known as the Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium. England and Zimbabwe ended a 22-year Test drought in May with a four-day match at Trent Bridge. The two countries have played only seven Tests against each other. Only two were in Zimbabwe, a drawn series in 1996.
Zimbabwe Cricket have been trying to convince touring teams to stop in Zimbabwe on their way to South Africa. They have long viewed late 2026 as a chance to arrange rare matches against Australia and England.
“We are a Test nation, so playing top countries like Australia and England at home will help make the format popular here,” ZC chair Tavengwa Mukuhlani said. “Playing strong teams will help our players grow. Australia want to prepare for the World Cup, but we hope to face them in Tests in the future.”
The next World Test Championship cycle will likely include all 12 Full Members in one group. This means teams may have more reasons to play Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland, who are not in the current nine-team WTC. If the new 12-team format is approved at the ICC meetings in March, many expect smaller teams to host one-off Tests. No extra funding is expected for hosting.
But Zimbabwe plan to host longer series in the next WTC. They want to strengthen their place in Test cricket. “Some countries might play the minimum number of Tests,” Mukuhlani said. “But we want to play more. We will try to host two or more Test matches against teams like Australia and England.”
