Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026

[SatEmpire]

Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026 is a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series scheduled for 15–20 September 2026.
Series Overview

Format: 3 ODIs only (no Tests or T20Is).
Dates: 15–20 September 2026.
Venue: All matches at Harare Sports Club, Harare.
Start time: 09:30 local time (approximately 07:30 GMT / 17:30 AEST the previous evening).
Significance: Australia’s first ODI series in Zimbabwe since a triangular series in 2014 (and first bilateral visit of this kind in over a decade). It serves as important preparation for both teams ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.


Full Schedule
MatchDateTime (Local)Venue
1st ODITuesday, 15 Sep 2026 09:30Harare Sports Club
2nd ODIFriday, 18 Sep 2026 09:30Harare Sports Club
3rd ODISunday, 20 Sep 2026 09:30Harare Sports Club

All matches are listed as “yet to begin” as of early September 2026.
Australia Squad (for Zimbabwe ODIs)
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
Key players include: Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matt Renshaw, Billy Stanlake.
(Note: Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are named only for the subsequent South Africa ODIs.) Marnus Labuschagne was not selected.
Context
Zimbabwe recently beat Australia by 23 runs in a T20 World Cup match in February 2026 (played in Colombo). The series follows Zimbabwe’s home T20Is against India earlier in the year and comes as both sides ramp up white-ball preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
For live updates, squads, or streaming details closer to the dates, check ESPNcricinfo or official Cricket Australia / Zimbabwe Cricket channels. The tour immediately precedes Australia’s ODI series in South Africa (starting 24 September).

[SatEmpire]

Pitch report: Lot of grass on it. Grass covering through out the surface. There is moisture on it. The ball will swing early on.
Teams:

Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor(w), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza(c), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani

Sikandar Raza: We wanted to bowl. We feel like they've got a lot of senior batsmen at the top of the order, and if you can make early inroads with the new ball, then it gives us a great chance. Firstly, we've got a lot of experience coming back into our ODI series as well. So, you know, that helps, because the presence of the senior guys in the team doesn't just help the guys with their preparation. It actually goes beyond that. So, a lot more calmness, hopefully, with the senior guys in the team as well, a lot more clarity. From Namibia, it was hot and cold. When we played well, we played really well. When we didn't do so well. So what we're looking to do is try and find consistency, and fortunately, the format that we're playing actually gives us a chance to find that consistency. The good thing about Ngarava is that his rehab is going really well, and he's ahead of his time as well, so we're keeping our fingers crossed for him. We also don't want to rush him because he's a captain and a fast bowler as well, and injuries among fast bowlers could be slightly niggly at times. So we want to make sure we give him the best care possible so that when he's back, he's fit for a long time and he can represent and lead Zimbabwe for a longer time as well.

Especially considering that we've got a World Cup year coming ahead as well. So we need his presence, but we don't want to rush him. But his rehab and recovery are going really well, and we're hoping that he'll be back sooner than we thought.
Mitchell Marsh: We are gonna bat first. It is a lovely day. But it's obviously nice to be back. As an Australian cricket team, to tour a place like this is always fantastic. Lot of fun off field. Yeah, look, a wealth of experience, mixed in with some youth, some really exciting youth for the future of Australian cricket. So we're looking forward to them hopefully getting opportunities at some stage and enjoying playing out here.
Australia have won the toss and have opted to bat

08:35 Local Time, 06:35 GMT, 12:05 IST: Hello and welcome to the first ODI between Zimbabwe and Australia. Needless to say it will be a stern test for the home team. Australia have a potent team despite a few names not playing. Zimbabwe led by Sikandar Raza have punched above their weights at times but Australia will be a tough task. Life won't be that easy still against the likes of Hazlewood, Bartlett and Zampa. It will be a vital toss to win as well as there will be something on offer for the bowlers early on. Don't think we will see a high scoring game! Toss and sheets in a while.

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

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