Cricket Australia has had to rejig its 2026-27 women’s home programme, trimming Bangladesh’s visit and splitting New Zealand’s tour in two, after the ICC brought the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka forward to February 2027.
What’s changed – the basics first
• Bangladesh now play only three ODIs, all in Brisbane and Sydney from 9-14 October.
• The three T20Is that were pencilled in for 18, 20 and 22 October have gone.
• New Zealand step into that October slot for three T20Is in Sydney, fly home, then return in March for three ODIs in Canberra (6 March) and Melbourne (8 and 10 March).
A few knock-on effects
The 8 March match will be the first day-nighter at Melbourne’s Junction Oval, lights having just gone up. It also lands on a public holiday and on International Women’s Day – handy timing. Two days later the men’s 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England begins at the MCG, so the women’s ODIs should roll nicely into that week of cricket.
Why the shuffle?
Moving the Champions Trophy from June-July to mid-February leaves players heading straight from Sri Lanka into Australia. To give everyone breathing space, the ODI leg against New Zealand slid back five days. The original Adelaide fixtures vanished in the process, one casualty of a crowded domestic summer that already squeezes in the WBBL (late October-early December) and the WPL in India (most of January-February).
CA’s view
Head of scheduling Peter Roach said the board tried to protect both preparation time and fan access. “After the recent notification by the ICC about the change to the Champions Trophy dates, we’ve produced a revised schedule that provides the best possible outcomes for the teams and fans,” he explained. “We’re particularly excited that women’s cricket will feature prominently in the lead up to the 150th Anniversary Test with the historic first international match under lights at Junction Oval.
“We are thankful to Bangladesh and NZ for their cooperation and understanding – particularly NZ for agreeing to travel to Australia twice.”
Reading between the lines
Losing Bangladesh’s T20Is isn’t ideal – Australia value variety in their build-up to global events – yet squeezing six extra internationals into an already busy calendar was always optimistic. New Zealand’s willingness to make two trips keeps Australia’s players ticking over against top-six opposition and gives Junction Oval a showcase evening.
For supporters, the message is simple enough: October brings short-form cricket under the Sydney lights; March offers the longer 50-over game, a new day-night venue and, straight after, a slice of Ashes history across the river at the ‘G.
