Cricket 2026: Australia vs. Zimbabwe and South Africa ultimate guide, when are the matches scheduled, how to watch and stream, squads, latest news

Australia’s 2027 World Cup preparations begin in earnest as the ODI squad heads to Zimbabwe and South Africa for a run of six ODIs.

The back-to-back series will serve as a preview for next year’s prestige tournament, to be held in the same two countries as well as Namibia for the first time since 2003.

After years of experimenting with the line-up, the first-choice XI appears to be taking shape, with a star-studded 15-man squad heading to Zimbabwe for the first three matches of the white-ball tour.

Captain Pat Cummins, who is being managed ahead of his Test workload next month, is the only major absentee, with Mitchell Marsh to take the reins in his stead.

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Marsh and Travis Head both return after sitting out of Australia’s mid-year ODI series against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, a group of future stars will get their chance to shine, with Cooper Connolly and Oliver Peake out to cement themselves in the top six, while emerging spinner Joel Davies is aiming to play alongside Adam Zampa in a slow-bowling partnership … or even to usurp the veteran leg-spinner.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have picked an experienced squad in what for them is a flagship series, having not played Australia in a bilateral series since 2022.

However, the team famously upset the Aussies at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

Four players, including captain Sikandar Raza, in the squad are in their 40s, with veteran Graeme Cremer a chance to play his first ODI since 2018.

Another old head in Brendan Taylor, meanwhile, needs just 81 runs to surpass former great Andy Flower’s long-standing record and become Zimbabwe’s highest ever ODI run-scorer.

The ODIs serve as a precursor to Australia’s blockbuster three-Test series against the Proteas in October and November, the first series in South Africa since the Sandpapergate scandal of 2018.

That series begins with the first Test on 9 October 2026, and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Fox Cricket.

WHERE TO WATCH THE AUSTRALIA VS ZIMBABWE & SOUTH AFRICA ODI SERIES?

The only place to watch all six matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa is Fox Cricket, with live and exclusive coverage via Foxtel and streaming on Kayo Sports.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE GAMES BE PLAYED?

Tour of Zimbabwe

First ODI: Tuesday September 15, 5:30pm (AEST) at Harare Sports Club

Second ODI: Friday September 18, 5:30pm (AEST) at Harare Sports Club

Third ODI: Sunday September 20, 5:30pm (AEST) at Harare Sports Club

Tour of South Africa

First ODI: Thursday September 24, 6pm (AEST) at Kingsmead, Durban

Second ODI: Sunday September 27, 6pm (AEST) at The Wanderers, Johannesburg

Third ODI: Wednesday September 30, 9:30pm (AEST) at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

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WHO IS IN AUSTRALIA’S SQUAD?

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa.

WHO IS IN ZIMBABWE’S SQUAD?

Sikandar Raza (c), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Innocent Kaia, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.