Australia Set for Action-Packed Home Season with India’s White-Ball Tour and Ashes

Darwin is set to host international cricket for the first time in 17 years as part of Australia’s 2025-26 home season. Cricket Australia (CA) has officially confirmed the schedule, which includes a limited-overs series against South Africa in August and an eight-match white-ball series against India later in the year. The season will also feature the highly anticipated Ashes series against England, beginning in November.

Australia will start their home campaign with a three-match T20I and three-match ODI series against South Africa, with matches set to be played in Darwin, Cairns, and Mackay. This series marks a significant moment for Northern Australia, as Darwin last hosted international cricket in 2008 when Australia played Bangladesh. Mackay will also make history by hosting Australia’s men’s team for the first time.

India’s white-ball tour of Australia will begin in mid-October and will consist of three ODIs and five T20Is. This series is expected to serve as an important preparation phase for both teams ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka in early 2026. The tour will start with an ODI in Perth on October 19 and will include matches at iconic venues like the MCG, SCG, and Adelaide Oval.

Following India’s tour, Australia will shift focus to the Ashes, which is set to begin on November 21 in Perth. The series will feature five Test matches, with games scheduled in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. With an extended gap between the India series and the first Ashes Test, Australia’s selectors will have more flexibility in picking a full-strength squad.

Australia will also travel to New Zealand for a short three-match T20I series in early October, just before India’s arrival. Meanwhile, Australia A is expected to have an extensive fixture list, including a home series in the middle of the year and a tour of India as part of a new reciprocal agreement between the two cricket boards.

Australia’s Home Schedule for 2025-26

South Africa Series in Northern Australia

Australia will begin their home season in August with a three-match T20I and three-match ODI series against South Africa. The matches will be played in Darwin, Cairns, and Mackay, with Mackay set to host Australia’s men’s team for the first time.

Australia vs South Africa Schedule

Date	Match	Venue
August 10	1st T20I	Darwin (N)
August 12	2nd T20I	Darwin (N)
August 16	3rd T20I	Cairns (N)
August 19	1st ODI	Cairns (D/N)
August 22	2nd ODI	Mackay (D/N)
August 24	3rd ODI	Mackay (D/N)

India’s White-Ball Tour

India will travel to Australia in mid-October for an eight-match white-ball series comprising three ODIs and five T20Is. This tour will act as preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka in early 2026.

India’s Tour of Australia Schedule

Date	Match	Venue
October 19	1st ODI	Perth Stadium (D/N)
October 23	2nd ODI	Adelaide (D/N)
October 25	3rd ODI	SCG (D/N)
October 29	1st T20I	Canberra (N)
October 31	2nd T20I	MCG (N)
November 2	3rd T20I	Hobart (N)
November 6	4th T20I	Gold Coast (N)
November 8	5th T20I	Gabba (N)

The Ashes 2025-26

Ashes series will begin on November 21 in Perth and will continue through December and January, with matches in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.

The Ashes Schedule

Date	Match	Venue
November 21-25	1st Test	Perth Stadium
December 4-8	2nd Test	Gabba (D/N)
December 17-21	3rd Test	Adelaide Oval
December 26-30	4th Test	MCG
January 4-8	5th Test	SCG

Australia’s home season promises to be action-packed, with series against South Africa, India, and England ensuring top-quality cricket throughout. The return of Darwin as a venue adds a historic touch to the schedule, while India’s tour will serve as vital preparation for the T20 World Cup. With the Ashes on the horizon and a short T20I series in New Zealand before India’s arrival, the coming months will be crucial for Australia’s international campaign.

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