Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE could secure more high-profile One-Day International cricket ahead of next year’s World Cup, with Australia understood to be in line for another three-match bilateral series in the country.
According to cricket.com.au, plans have been made for Australia to play another three bilateral ODIs in Zimbabwe next year as part of their preparations for the October-November World Cup.
The prospect emerged after Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza revealed that Australia’s players had enjoyed their latest visit and that his counterpart Mitchell Marsh had indicated the Australians would like to return.
“Speaking to them, I think they’ve had a great time.
“I remember speaking to Mitch at the toss of the first game, and he said, “Do you think there’ll be a crowd?’ and I said, “I can guarantee you there’ll be a crowd.” The crowd did not let us down.
“Speaking to Mitch today at the toss (Sunday), he was like, “Man, I am super impressed with the crowd.”
“It brought back a lot of memories.” So it’s nice to have Aussies here and they’re going to be here next year again,” revealed Raza.
The mooted series shapes as a more-than-handy final tune-up for a tournament being held in Africa for the first time since Ricky Ponting’s men lifted the 2003 trophy.
Australia otherwise will play scarce 50-over cricket leading into the World Cup given their busy run of Tests.
Three ODIs against New Zealand in northern Australia is their only other planned engagement in the format in 2027.
The proposed series would give Zimbabwe another opportunity to host one of the world’s leading cricket nations in the build-up to the global tournament.
The prospect of more ODI cricket is particularly important for Zimbabwe, who have had limited opportunities in the format in recent years.
The Chevrons had played only eight ODIs since the beginning of 2025 before the current Australian series.
Raza believes regular encounters against major cricketing nations could accelerate Zimbabwe’s development.
“I know we have lost — I know that — but I don’t think Zimbabwe has regressed.
“I do think we have made some great strides and progress,” he said.
“What it is that I have seen is that Zimbabwe is going in the right direction, and we are progressing.
“Hopefully, with more ODIs and bigger nations coming to Zimbabwe, our progress will be faster. That’s what we’re hoping for,” said the Zimbabwean skipper.
The Chevrons also enter the period with encouraging results in other formats. Raza said the recent results should be viewed in the context of a team that is continuing to develop.
“People look at the results — and results are important to all of us, to you, to fans, to the country — but as a captain, with this side we are progressing,” he said.
“If we keep this fight, this hunger, then I genuinely believe we will win more in the near future than lose,” said Raza.
For Zimbabwe, the potential Australian return would also provide an opportunity to showcase the planned Victoria Falls Stadium, which is among the venues earmarked for the 2027 World Cup.
Raza said the opening of the new facility would provide another major moment for Zimbabwean cricket.
“We can’t wait for our Vic Falls Stadium to be open and for us to play the first game.
“Regardless of the opposition, I think it’s going to be a great moment for Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Cricket,” he said.
Australia completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep over the Chevrons on Sunday, but the matches attracted strong crowds at Harare Sports Club and provided both teams with valuable preparation ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia. Australia’s Josh Inglis, who scored a match-winning century in the third ODI, also acknowledged the quality of Zimbabwe’s performance throughout the series. The Chevrons posted competitive totals in all three matches — 235, 272 and 271 for eight — with Raza, Craig Ervine and Innocent Kaia contributing five half-centuries between them.
“I thought (Zimbabwe) performed really well the whole series.
“Especially with the bat, they scored a lot of runs, they scored big totals, and they put us under pressure at times.
“So it definitely wasn’t an easy task. Zimbabwe are a team we’ve lost to a couple of times over the last few years as well.
“We knew what we were coming up against, obviously in their home conditions, and they pushed us right to the edge,” said Inglis. — Don Makanyanga/cricket.com.au
