Australia is set to tour Zimbabwe in September next year for a three-match ODI series ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Africa. The official announcement of the schedule of the ODI series between Zimbabwe and Australia is expected in the coming weeks, but Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) was hopeful of securing a Test match.
Australia are expected to tour Zimbabwe before the start of their Test and ODI tour of South Africa in September-October 2026, reports News Corp.
The series will be Australia’s first visit to Zimbabwe since 2018, when they played a T20 triangular series. Zimbabwe has hosted minor teams in recent years.
Facing top teams helps Zimbabwe after years of limited high-level competition
For many years, Zimbabwe played mostly lower-ranked teams such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland because the top cricket nations were not touring regularly. This limited his chances of testing himself against strong opposition.
However, this has recently changed. In 2024 and 2025, Zimbabwe faced big teams like India, South Africa, England and New Zealand. Meeting these top parties year after year gives Chevron a better idea of where they really stand.
Playing only mid-level teams can create a false sense of progress. However, tough defeats against stronger nations help motivate the team to understand the real shortcomings in their game and improve.
Australia ready to tour Zimbabwe ODI in 2026
Zimbabwe’s upcoming tour of Australia is expected to take place in Harare and possibly Bulawayo, as the new 10,000-seat stadium at Victoria Falls will not be ready in time.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Zimbabwe Cricket had hoped to add a one-off Test to make the tour more special. However, Australia could not agree as they have a very busy Test calendar, with at least 19 matches scheduled from mid-2026 to the 2027 Ashes.
However, the ODI series has been given priority, especially since Zimbabwe will co-host the next 50-over World Cup with South Africa and Namibia.
Australia and Zimbabwe have faced each other only three times in Tests. His last series was in 2003, when Matthew Hayden scored his then world-record 380 at the WACA. The only Test played in Zimbabwe was in 1999, when Steve Waugh’s team won by ten wickets in Ian Healy’s final Test.
Playing against the best teams will help our players – Zimbabwe Cricket
Zimbabwe Cricket is working to ensure hosting of major teams, with hopes of rare opportunities to host teams like Australia and England in late 2026.
ZC president Tavengwa Mukuhlani said it was important for Zimbabwe to face top Test nations at home to pioneer this format and help local players develop by competing against stronger opponents.
“We are a Test nation, so playing top nations like Australia and England at home will go a long way in popularizing the format in Zimbabwe,” ZC president Tavengwa Mukuhlani told ESPNcricinfo.
“Playing against the best teams will help our players develop their skills in Test cricket. Obviously, Australia want to prepare for the World Cup, but hopefully we can play with them in Test cricket in the future.”
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