Australia’s Packed Cricket Schedule: From Bangladesh to the Ashes
Australia faces a demanding cricket schedule over the next year, encompassing tours of South Africa and India, a celebration of the Ashes and crucial matches impacting their World Test Championship ambitions. The schedule, which begins with a series against Bangladesh in August, is designed to maximize cricket’s visibility and compete with other major sporting codes.
Key Fixtures and Tournaments
The Australian men’s team will be busy with a series of Test, ODI, and T20I matches. The schedule includes a home Test series against Latest Zealand, a challenging tour of South Africa, and a highly anticipated trip to India. The year culminates with the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG in March 2026, followed by an away Ashes series.
South Africa Tour: A Return to Contentious Ground
Australia will tour South Africa in October for a three-match ODI series and a three-match Test series. This marks Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since the infamous 2018 tour marred by the “sandpaper-gate” scandal, which resulted in suspensions for Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft. Australia–India cricket rivalry
India Tour: Quest for Subcontinental Success
Following the New Zealand series, Australia will travel to India, aiming to solidify their position as a leading Test side with success on the subcontinent. Dates for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour are yet to be specified but are expected to initiate in late January 2027, coinciding with the Australian Open tennis tournament.
Ashes Anniversary and World Test Championship
The 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG in March 2026 will be a significant event. Australia’s performance in the upcoming series against South Africa and India, along with the away Ashes series, will be crucial for their bid to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the third consecutive cycle.
White-Ball Challenges and Olympic Qualification
Australia will also engage in ODI and T20I series against England in November, with added importance due to the upcoming 2028 Olympics. Australia currently trails New Zealand in the rankings, and encounters in the T20 format will be vital as only one country from each region is likely to feature in the Olympics.
Women’s Cricket Schedule
The Australian women’s team will host Bangladesh in October and New Zealand in February. The New Zealand Cricket Board opted for a white-ball tour, declining an invitation for an all-format series.
Full Schedule
NRMA Insurance Men’s Test Series v Bangladesh
- First Test: August 13 – 17, Marrara Stadium, Darwin
- Second Test: August 22 – 26, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
Tour of South Africa
- First ODI: September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
- Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (D/N)
- First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
- Second Test: October 18-22, St George’s Park, Gqeberha
- Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Men’s ODI Series v England
- November 13: Perth Stadium, Perth
- November 15: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- November 18: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Men’s T20I Series v England
- November 21: MCG, Melbourne
- November 24: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast
- November 27: The Gabba, Brisbane
- November 29: SCG, Sydney
- December 2: Manuka Oval, Canberra
NRMA Insurance Men’s Test Series v New Zealand
- First Test: December 9 – 13, Perth Stadium, Perth
- Second Test: December 17 – 21, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Third Test: December 26 – 30, MCG, Melbourne
- Fourth Test: January 4-8, SCG, Sydney
Tour of India
Dates to be confirmed – slated for late January through February.
150th Anniversary Test Match against England
- March 11 – 15: MCG, Melbourne
Women’s Schedule
- Women’s ODI Series v Bangladesh: October 9, 11, 14 – Allan Border Field, Brisbane
- Women’s T20I Series v Bangladesh: October 18, 20, 22 – North Sydney Oval, Sydney
- Women’s T20I Series v New Zealand: February 21 – North Sydney Oval, Sydney
- February 24 – Manuka Oval, Canberra
- February 26 – CitiPower Centre, Melbourne
- Women’s ODI Series v New Zealand: March 1, 5, 7 – CitiPower Centre, Melbourne & Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide