New Delhi, Sept 2026 : Australia have strengthened their preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup by recalling several senior players for a six-match ODI tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa later this month.
The reigning world champions will begin their campaign with a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in Harare, starting September 15. They will then travel to South Africa for another three-match series, with the opening game scheduled in Durban on September 24.
The tour is particularly significant for Australia as the 2027 World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The six matches will provide the Australian team with an important opportunity to familiarise themselves with the playing conditions in the region while assessing their squad combinations ahead of the global tournament.
Australia have welcomed back captain Mitchell Marsh and explosive opener Travis Head, both of whom missed the team’s ODI assignments in Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier this year. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has also returned to the squad.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will join the team for the South African leg of the tour. Their inclusion will also allow Australia to manage their workloads ahead of the three-match ICC World Test Championship series against South Africa in October.
However, there is no place for Marnus Labuschagne, who has been left out following a challenging period across formats. The selectors have retained faith in young prospects Joel Davies and Ollie Peake, who impressed during Australia’s earlier ODI campaigns.
Australia’s selection chair George Bailey described the six-match tour as an important step towards next year’s World Cup.
“This six-game series is an important lead-in to next year’s World Cup, being played in the same countries, for the group,” Bailey said.
He welcomed the return of Marsh, Head and Hazlewood, while also highlighting the importance of having Cummins and Starc available for the South African leg.
Bailey said the combination would provide Australia with a strong core while giving younger players further opportunities to develop at international level.
“For Ollie and Joel, who we rate very highly, it’s another fantastic opportunity and a further chance for them to continue their exposure and growth in the Australian team,” he said.
Australia’s ODI squad includes Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, 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, Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa.
Cummins and Starc will be available only for the South Africa leg of the tour.
Australia will open their Zimbabwe series against the hosts in Harare on September 15, followed by the second ODI on September 18 and the third on September 20.
The South Africa series will begin in Durban on September 24, with the second ODI scheduled in Johannesburg on September 27 and the final match in Potchefstroom on September 30.
The tour is expected to give Australia valuable match practice in World Cup conditions while helping the selectors finalise their preferred combination ahead of the 2027 tournament.
Australia vs Zimbabwe:
First ODI: September 15, Harare
Second ODI: September 18, Harare
Third ODI: September 20, Harare
Australia vs South Africa:
First ODI: September 24, Durban
Second ODI: September 27, Johannesburg
Third ODI: September 30, Potchefstroom
