Australia Tour of Zimbabwe 2026: Schedule, Squads and ODI Series Preview
Published on September 14, 2026
Summary Overview: Australia tour of Zimbabwe 2026 preview with the full three-ODI schedule in local, IST and ET times, both squads, and key storylines from Harare Sports Club.
Taylor's Return and a New-Look Australia: The Zimbabwe ODI Series Preview
When and where is the series?
Three ODIs from September 15 to 20, 2026, all at the Harare Sports Club. It is Australia's first tour of Zimbabwe in eight years.
Who leads the two sides?
Mitchell Marsh captains Australia, while Sikandar Raza leads Zimbabwe in the absence of the injured regular captain Richard Ngarava.
What is the big storyline?
It is a 2027 World Cup dress rehearsal in the host region, headlined by the remarkable return of 40-year-old Brendan Taylor for Zimbabwe and a new-look Australia missing several big names.
The Story: A World Cup Rehearsal in the Host Nation
Australia are back in Zimbabwe for the first time in eight years, and there is more to this three-match ODI series than the scoreline. With the 2027 ODI World Cup to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, this tour hands the reigning world champions valuable exposure to conditions in the region.
For readers new to the format: an ODI is a one-day international, where each side bats for 50 overs. All three matches are at the same venue, the Harare Sports Club, giving both teams a settled base.
Australia: World Champions in Rebuild Mode
Australia arrive as the reigning 50-over world champions, but this is far from their strongest possible team. Captain Mitchell Marsh and star opener Travis Head return to the top of the order, yet several familiar faces are missing.
Marnus Labuschagne was left out after a lean run in ODIs, while the retirements of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis have opened up spots in the middle order. Fast-bowling spearheads Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are also being saved for the South Africa leg that follows, so they do not feature here.
That makes this a genuine audition series. All-rounder Cooper Connolly, fresh off a superb 149 in his most recent ODI, has a chance to nail down a spot, while young talents like Oliver Peake and Joel Davies get further exposure. Even so, with Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Cameron Green, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis on board, this is still a high-quality outfit.
Zimbabwe: Experience Returns
For Zimbabwe, the headline is a feel-good comeback. Brendan Taylor, one of the country's finest ever batters, returns to the ODI squad at 40 years of age and could take the wicketkeeping gloves. Veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer is also back, playing ODI cricket for the first time in eight years.
Their experience bolsters a side led by all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who takes the captaincy with regular skipper Richard Ngarava ruled out by a back injury. The top order leans on Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Innocent Kaia, while Blessing Muzarabani spearheads the pace attack.
Zimbabwe will take belief from history, too. They famously beat Australia by three wickets in Harare back in 2014, so an upset on home soil is not beyond them.
Players to Watch
Travis Head (Australia): A destructive opener who can win a match in the first ten overs on his own.
Cooper Connolly (Australia): The rising all-rounder with a point to prove and a World Cup spot to chase.
Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): The captain, talisman and match-winner with both bat and ball.
Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe): A fairy-tale return at 40, and a huge emotional lift for the home side.
Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe): A tall, hostile quick who can trouble even the best on a helpful surface.
Full Schedule (Local, IST and ET)
All three ODIs are at the Harare Sports Club.
| Match | Date | Local (CAT) | IST | ET |
| 1st ODI | Tue, Sep 15 | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 3:30 AM |
| 2nd ODI | Fri, Sep 18 | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 3:30 AM |
| 3rd ODI | Sun, Sep 20 | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 3:30 AM |
Local time is Central Africa Time (CAT, UTC+2). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30) and ET is US Eastern Time (EDT, UTC-4 in September). All start times fall on the same calendar date in each zone.
📄 Download the full schedule as a PDF to save or share.
The Full Squads
Australia
| Category | Players |
| Batters | Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw |
| All-rounders | Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Oliver Peake |
| Wicketkeepers | Alex Carey, Josh Inglis |
| Bowlers | Xavier Bartlett, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Spencer Johnson, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa |
Zimbabwe
| Category | Players |
| Batters | Ben Curran, Craig Ervine |
| All-rounders | Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans |
| Wicketkeepers | Brendan Taylor, Tadiwanashe Marumani |
| Bowlers | Blessing Muzarabani, Ernest Masuku, Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Wellington Masakadza |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is captaining the two teams?
Mitchell Marsh leads Australia, and Sikandar Raza captains Zimbabwe with Richard Ngarava injured.
Why is this a weaker Australia side?
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are being held back for the South Africa leg, and Marnus Labuschagne was omitted, while Smith, Maxwell and Stoinis have retired.
Why is Brendan Taylor's return significant?
Taylor is back in the ODI squad at 40 years old, a major experience boost, and could keep wicket for Zimbabwe.
Where are the matches being played?
All three ODIs are at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
Why does this series matter?
It is part of both teams' build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, which Zimbabwe will help to host.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Australia Tour of Zimbabwe 2026 Full Results and Scorecards