By Zim Sport Live Writer
Australia are set to return to Zimbabwe next year for another three-match ODI series as the two sides continue preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.
The proposed series would come just over a year after Australia’s current tour of Zimbabwe and is expected to provide the defending world champions with further preparation for next year’s tournament.
Australia’s three-match ODI series in Harare this month was their first 50-over visit to Zimbabwe since 2014. The visitors completed a 3-0 series sweep, although Zimbabwe pushed them close in the final match, losing by one wicket.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has welcomed the prospect of Australia returning, particularly with the new Victoria Falls Stadium expected to be available for the World Cup.
“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,” Raza said.
The 10,000-seat Victoria Falls Stadium, currently under construction, is expected to host World Cup matches alongside established venues in Harare and Bulawayo. The venue is located close to Victoria Falls, one of Zimbabwe’s major tourist attractions.
Australia wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who scored a match-winning 102 in the third ODI, said the recent series had given his side valuable exposure to conditions they could encounter at next year’s World Cup.
He also praised Zimbabwe’s batting after the hosts posted competitive totals in all three matches, with Raza, Craig Ervine and Innocent Kaia producing 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,” Inglis said.
Raza believes Zimbabwe’s recent progress can be accelerated by playing more matches against leading international teams.
“Hopefully, with more ODIs and bigger nations coming to Zimbabwe, our progress will be faster,” he said.
Zimbabwe have missed the last two ODI World Cups but will automatically feature as one of the three co-hosts at the 2027 tournament, which will be played in October and November.
The proposed Australia series would therefore give the Chevrons another opportunity to test themselves against the reigning world champions on home soil before the global tournament.
For Australia, meanwhile, it would offer another chance to familiarise themselves with southern African conditions ahead of their World Cup title defence.