Australia tour of Zimbabwe ODI Series, 2026

Australia return to Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI series beginning on September 15 at Harare Sports Club, with the second and third matches scheduled for September 18 and 20 at the same venue. All three games will begin at 9:30 AM local time. The tour marks Australia’s first ODI visit to Zimbabwe since 2014, when the two teams met as part of a triangular series also involving South Africa. With Zimbabwe preparing to co-host the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia, the opportunity to face one of the strongest ODI sides in the world on home soil provides valuable preparation little more than a year out from the tournament.

Australia will naturally begin as favourites, but their recent ODI results suggest the contest may not be as straightforward as the rankings might imply. The Australians suffered consecutive 2-1 ODI series defeats to Pakistan and Bangladesh in June, with Bangladesh’s triumph representing their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory over Australia. Even so, Australia possess considerable white-ball depth, with players such as Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis forming part of their recent ODI plans. The Zimbabwe series also begins an important African leg for Australia, who travel directly to South Africa for three more ODIs from September 24, giving them an early opportunity to become accustomed to conditions in the region where they will defend their World Cup title in 2027.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have genuine reasons for optimism at Harare. Under new ODI captain Richard Ngarava, the hosts defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in their July ODI series, with Ngarava leading a group that also features experienced campaigners such as Sikandar Raza alongside Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani and an improving group of younger players. Zimbabwe have also shown repeatedly that Australia can be vulnerable against them: they famously beat the Australians in Harare in 2014, recorded another ODI victory in Townsville in 2022 and stunned them by 23 runs at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Australia still possess the greater overall depth and experience, but Zimbabwe’s recent home form, familiarity with Harare and growing confidence should make this a fascinating three-match series rather than simply a routine assignment for the visitors.