Zimbabwe and Australia begin a three-match ODI series in Harare on September 15, with the opening game at Harare Sports Club set for 5:30pm AEST, 9:30am local time. The second ODI follows on September 18, with the series finale on September 20, and both teams will treat the tour as useful preparation for next year's ODI World Cup.
For Zimbabwe, the series is another chance to test an experienced group against a major opponent. Sikandar Raza is standing in as captain for the contest, adding leadership value to a side that will be keen to make the most of home conditions. Zimbabwe have also named an experienced squad for their bilateral contest against Australia since 2022, which underlines how seriously they are taking the series.
Australia arrive without several senior names
Australia are also using the tour to refine options with the World Cup in mind, but they will do so without some familiar experience. Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are among the notable absentees after their retirements, leaving the visitors with a different look as they continue to shape their one-day plans.
That matters because the series comes with the World Cup just 12 months away, and this is one of the few opportunities both sides will have to assess combinations in conditions that can resemble tournament cricket. Zimbabwe beat Australia in their most recent T20I outing at the World Cup in February, while the teams' latest ODI meeting in Townsville saw Zimbabwe win by three wickets.
Australia's squad still brings plenty of quality, but the balance of the group will be watched closely across all three matches. With Harare Sports Club hosting the full series, the setting should give both sides a clear read on where they stand and what still needs to be settled before next year's tournament.
