Big challenges await Australia on the road to WTC Final
Tough series await the 2023 World Test Championship winners as Australia unveil their schedule for the upcoming home summer.
Two-time ICC World Test Championship Finalists, Australia have big challenges in their path as they eye their spot in a third WTC Final next year.
Currently sitting atop the WTC Standings with seven wins from their eight outings, the runner-ups from last year’s summit clash are coming on the back of a strong 4-1 Ashes win.
Cricket Australia confirmed upcoming assignments for their men’s and women's teams on Sunday, with Pat Cummins' side next in action in the World Test Championship in August when they lock horns against Bangladesh in a two-Test series at home.
This will be followed by a much-anticipated three-match series in South Africa in October. The two teams had previously met each other in the WTC Final at Lord's last year, with the Proteas emerging triumphant in a historic win.
To wrap up their year, Australia will take on Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand in four Tests at home. The series part of the ongoing WTC cycle will stretch into 2027.
In what is going to be a quick turnaround, Australia will then head to India for a blockbuster five-match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The series, stretching from January to March 2027, will mark their final assignment in the ongoing WTC cycle, with much to play for the Pat Cummins-led side. The last time the two teams met, Cummins and co. had emerged victorious in a 3-1 series win at home, ending a decade-long wait to defeat India in a Test series.
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Having started their 2025-27 cycle with a 3-0 series win against the West Indies, Australia delivered a comprehensive display at home against England to keep a stellar 87.50 PCT at the top of the standings.
Australia will also play a showpiece Day-Night Test against England in March to mark the 150th anniversary of the first Test match. The one-off Test will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from March 11 to 15.
Meanwhile, the powerful Australian women's side will host Bangladesh in a bilateral series for the first time when they take on the Asian side in a three-match ODI series in Brisbane in October.
This will be followed by a three-game ODI series in Sydney, with Sophie Molineux's side then hosting New Zealand for six white-ball fixtures (three T20Is and three ODIs) across February and March 2027.
2026-27 INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE (All times listed below are local)
Men’s Test Series v Bangladesh
First Test: August 13 - 17, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 10am
Second Test: August 22 - 26, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 10am
Women’s ODI Series v Bangladesh
Friday, October 9: Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 1.50pm (D/N)
Sunday, October 11: Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 1.50pm (D/N)
Wednesday, October 14: Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 1.50pm (D/N)
Women’s T20I Series v Bangladesh
Sunday, October 18: North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 7.15pm (N)
Tuesday, October 20: North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 7.15pm (N)
Thursday, October 22: North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 7.15pm (N)
Men’s ODI Series v England
Friday, November 13: Perth Stadium, Perth, 11.30am (D/twilight)
Sunday, November 15: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 2pm (D/N)
Wednesday, November 18: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 2.30pm (D/N)
Men’s T20I Series v England
Saturday, November 21: MCG, Melbourne, 7.15pm (N)
Tuesday, November 24: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast, 6.15pm (N)
Friday, November 27: The Gabba, Brisbane, 6.15pm (N)
Sunday, November 29: SCG, Sydney, 7.15pm (N)
Wednesday, December 2: Manuka Oval, Canberra, 7.15pm (N)
Men’s Test Series v New Zealand
First Test: December 9 - 13, Perth Stadium, Perth, 10.20am
Second Test: December 17 – 21: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 11am
Third Test: December 26 – 30: MCG, Melbourne, 10.30am
Fourth Test: January 4-8: SCG, Sydney, 10.30am
Women’s T20I Series v New Zealand
Sunday, February 21: North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 1.30pm (D)
Wednesday, February 24: Manuka Oval, Canberra, 7.15pm (N)
Friday, February 26: Junction Oval, Melbourne, 7.15pm (N)
Women’s ODI Series v New Zealand
Monday, March 1: Junction Oval, Melbourne, 2.50pm (D/N)
Friday, March 5: Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide, 2.20pm (D/N)
Sunday, March 7: Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide, 2.20pm (D/N)
One-off 150th Anniversary Test Match
March 11 – 15: MCG, Melbourne, 2.00pm (D/N)
