England v Australia: ODI Series preview

The three-match series begins in Perth at 3:30am UK time. Here’s what you need to know…

England take on New Zealand at Edgbaston next summer, in the 1st Metro Bank Men’s ODI of the series. With 70% of tickets already sold, fans are encouraged to act quickly. Tickets are now on General Sale.

Last meeting

The two teams last locked horns in Test cricket, with Australia running out 4-1 victors in the 2025/26 Ashes Series, while the last time they played a 50-over contest was in the Men’s ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025. It was Australia that prevailed on that occasion too, successfully chasing 356 thanks to an unbeaten 120 from Josh Inglis.

You have to go back to September 2024 when the two teams last played out an ODI series. The five-match series in England went the distance. After Australia had won the opening two matches in convincing fashion, England responded with back-to-back victories to level the series. In the decider, rain was a factor in Bristol, as Australia won the series 3-2 with a 49-run win on the DLS Method.

Current form

England’s form has been up and down in the One Day format, and they touch down in Perth looking to find a level of consistency against a formidable opposition.

In July, Harry Brook’s men impressed on home soil to topple the leading ODI team in the world, India, over a three-match series. Defeat at Edgbaston was followed by wins at Sophia Gardens and Lord’s as they turned the series on its head. A home series with Sri Lanka followed, where England again won 2-1, before they travelled to Pakistan for the recent tri-series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Three successive defeats ensured they wouldn’t compete in the final, however they signed off with a 55-run win in their final fixture against Sri Lanka in Lahore.

Similarly to England, Australia are also looking for consistency in 50 over cricket ahead of next year’s World Cup. Defeat away in Bangladesh earlier this year was followed by a comprehensive 3-0 series victory over Zimbabwe, before they were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in South Africa two months ago.

England players to watch

Harry Brook

The England captain has climbed to eighth in the Men’s ODI Batting Rankings after striking a simply outrageous double hundred against Sri Lanka in the recent Tri-Series. Brook brought up his 200 in just 114 deliveries, making it the fastest double hundred in ODI history. He also became the first Englishman to achieve that score in ODI cricket.

Ben Duckett

England’s opener was also in good form during the Tri-Series, as he struck back-to-back centuries in the final two matches. He’s England’s highest ranked player in the Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, sitting fifth, and will arrive in Australia full of confidence, looking to build on what has been a positive 2026 in 50-over cricket.