Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGH-PROFILE opportunities continue to avail themselves for the Zimbabwe national cricket team ahead of the ICC World Cup after global heavyweights Australia yesterday became the latest team confirmed to tour this country for a series this September.
Zimbabwe Cricket yesterday said the Australians will play a three-match One-Day International series during their visit.
Australia are the reigning ODI champions and they are the most successful team in the ODI World Cup with six titles.
This is the first time in a decade that Australia are touring for a bilateral series.
The announcement came just two days after the association had also confirmed World T20 champions and record three-time winners India will also be touring in July.
This means in two months’ time, the Chevrons will host the most successful teams in both ODI and T20 World Cups.
The last time Zimbabwe played Australia on home soil in this format was during a triangular series in Au-gust/September 2014, which also featured South Africa.
The two upcoming series form a key part of Zimbabwe’s build-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which Zimbabwe will co-host alongside South Africa and Namibia.
ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni yesterday welcomed Australia’s visit and said the tour comes at an important stage for the team.
“We are delighted to welcome Australia back to Zimbabwe for what promises to be a highly competitive ODI series,” he said.
“Fixtures of this calibre are vital for our growth as a team.
“With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 on the horizon, this tour provides invaluable preparation as we build towards hosting the tournament alongside South Africa and Namibia.
“It is also a fantastic opportunity for our fans to experience top-level international cricket at home, and we look forward to strong support at Harare Sports Club.”
The forthcoming fixtures follow Zimbabwe’s outstanding performance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, where they reached the Super Eight stage after topping a highly competitive group featuring Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Oman without suffering a single defeat.
Zimbabwe and Australia will play all matches at Harare Sports Club on September 15, 18 and 20 September.
The teams last played each other at the recent ICC T20 World Cup where Zimbabwe snatched a famous 23-run win to progress to the Super Eight for the first time.
But before hosting the Aussies, they play India on July 23, 25 and 26, also at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe are also expected to play Pakistan and Afghanistan before travelling to India in January.
