ICC ODI Calendar in 2026 has some significant games that will help teams prepare for the 2027 World Cup. This article considers two crucial games that will be played on September 24. South Africa versus Australia is one of them and will be held at Kingsmead, Durban. Meanwhile, the other game will be between England and Sri Lanka at Headingley, Leeds. Both games involve more than just winning a game. It is about getting an opportunity to test the batting order, bowling partnership, and tactics of each team. The analysis covers the pitch conditions, recent meetings, and key performance indicators. These factors will help us understand how each team approaches the match and builds confidence.
ICC ODI 2026: Event Details
Battle at Durban: South Africa vs Australia
Event Detail
Information
Event
South Africa vs Australia – 1st ICC ODI
Date
24 September 2026 (Thursday)
Time
04:00 AM ET | 01:00 AM PT | 01:30 PM IST
Venue
Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban, SA
Format
ICC One Day International (ODI)
Series
Australia tour of South Africa
Series Context
ODI Series between two teams preparing for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban, SA
ICC Expected Lineups
South Africa
Position
Player Name
Wicketkeeper/ Left-Handed Batsman
Quinton de Kock
Wicketkeeper/ Left-Handed Batsman
Ryan Rickelton
Right-Handed Batsman
Matthew Breetzke
Left-Handed Batsman
Tony de Zorzi
Right-Handed Batsman
Temba Bavuma
Left-Handed Batsman
David Miller
Right-Handed Batsman
Tristan Stubbs
Right-Handed Batsman/ Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Corbin Bosch
Right-Handed Batsman/ Left-Arm Fast Bowler
Marco Jansen
Left-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Bjorn Fortuin
Left-Arm Fast Bowler
Duan Jansen
Left-Arm Fast Bowler
Kwena Maphaka
Left-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Keshav Maharaj
Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Gerald Coetzee
Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Nqobani Mokoena
Australia
Position
Player Name
Wicketkeeper/ Left-Handed Batsman
Alex Carey
Wicketkeeper/ Right-Handed Batsman
Josh Inglis
Left-Handed Batsman
Travis Head
Left-Handed Batsman
Oliver Peake
Left-Handed Batsman
Matt Renshaw
Right-Handed Batsman/ Right-Arm Medium Bowler
Mitchell Marsh
Left-Handed Batsman/ Left-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Cooper Connolly
Right-Handed Batsman/ Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Cameron Green
Left-Handed Batsman/ Left-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Joel Davies
Right-Handed Batsman/ Right-Arm Medium Bowler
Jack Edwards
Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Xavier Bartlett
Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Nathan Ellis
Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Josh Hazlewood
Right-Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Adam Zampa
Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Pat Cummins
Left-Arm Fast Bowler
Mitchell Starc
About the Pitch
Pace bowling has been beneficial at Kingsmead in the past. The statistics from Kingsmead’s ODI games reveal an average first-innings score of 233, in contrast to 185 in the second innings. In addition, South Africa hold the highest total score at Kingsmead in ODIs of 372/6 against Australia.
The recent statistics from Kingsmead indicate that pace might prove critical once again. Approximately 54% of wickets taken in the recent series of Kingsmead games have come by pace. Meanwhile, 40% of the wickets taken in the recent series have come by spin. Hence, batting first might help a lot if the surface turns slow later in the match.
How will this reflect in ICC World Cup 2027?
It is an ideal chance for both teams to try out their ODI combination before the World Cup 2027. The South Africans will get the chance to evaluate the players on their home turf. Australia will also have their experienced ODI players like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
South Africa will need to consider the issue of having enough bowling depth as well. This is because Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman are out due to injuries.
KPI & Stats Comparison
KPI
South Africa
Australia
Recent ODI series result
3–0 vs Namibia
3–0 vs Zimbabwe
Recent ODI momentum
Three consecutive wins
Three consecutive wins
Key batting indicator
Matthew Breetzke: 59.17 ODI average
Cooper Connolly: 431 ODI runs, 43.10 average
Key recent batter
Matthew Breetzke
Travis Head
Recent series batting leader
Jordan Hermann: 247 runs across 3 matches vs Namibia
Cooper Connolly: 150 runs across 3 matches vs Zimbabwe
Key pace option
Marco Jansen / Gerald Coetzee
Mitchell Starc / Josh Hazlewood
Key spin option
Keshav Maharaj / Bjorn Fortuin
Adam Zampa
Kingsmead ODI average, 1st innings
233 runs
233 runs
Kingsmead ODI average, 2nd innings
185 runs
185 runs
Recent ODI H2H at Venue
3
6
Analysis
South Africa have a strong batting core through Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs. Breetzke is particularly important after averaging 59.16 in his ODI career so far.
Australia counter with a powerful pace group led by Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood. Their return strengthens an attack that already helped Australia complete a 3–0 ODI sweep of Zimbabwe.
The main tactical battle should be South Africa’s top order against Australia’s new-ball attack. Kingsmead’s pace-friendly history makes the opening 10 overs especially important.
The Pick: Australia
Match 2: England vs Sri Lanka – 2nd ODI
Date: 24 September 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 07:30 AM ET | 04:30 AM PT | 05:00 PM IST
Venue: Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, England
ICC Expected Lineups
England
Position
Player Name
Right-Handed Batsman
Harry Brook
Right-Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Rehan Ahmed
Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Jofra Archer
Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Gus Atkinson
Right-Handed Batsman
Tom Banton
Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Sonny Baker
Wicketkeeper / Right-Handed Batsman
Jos Buttler
Wicketkeeper / Right-Handed Batsman
Jordan Cox
Right-Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Henry Crocombe
Right-Handed Batsman / Left-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Liam Dawson
Left-Handed Batsman
Ben Duckett
Right-Handed Batsman / Right-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Will Jacks
Right-Handed Batsman / Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Jamie Overton
Right-Handed Batsman / Right-Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Adil Rashid
Right-Handed Batsman
Joe Root
Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Josh Tongue
Sri Lanka
Position
Player Name
Wicketkeeper / Right-Handed Batsman
Kusal Mendis
Right-Handed Batsman
Pathum Nissanka
Left-Handed Batsman
Kamil Mishara
Left-Handed Batsman / Left-Arm Orthodox Bowler
Kamindu Mendis
Left-Handed Batsman
Charith Asalanka
Right-Handed Batsman
Janith Liyanage
Right-Handed Batsman
Pavan Rathnayake
Right-Handed Batsman / Right-Arm Medium Bowler
Dasun Shanaka
Right-Handed Batsman / Right-Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Wanindu Hasaranga
Left-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Dunith Wellalage
Right-Arm Off Spin Bowler
Maheesh Theekshana
Right-Arm Leg Spin Bowler
Sachindu Colombage
Right-Arm Fast Bowler
Dushmantha Chameera
Right-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Eshan Malinga
Right-Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Asitha Fernando
Left-Arm Fast Medium Bowler
Dilshan Madushanka
ENG vs SL: 1st ODI Recap
KPI / Statistic
England
Sri Lanka
Innings Score
265 all out
176 all out
Overs Faced
48.1
37.0
Run Rate
5.50
4.75
Result
Won by 89 runs
Lost
Top Batter
Harry Brook – 67
Dunith Wellalage – 45
Second Top Batter
Will Jacks – 46*
Kusal Mendis – 42
Third Top Batter
Joe Root – 44
Pathum Nissanka – 27
Best Bowler
Will Jacks – 5/22
Sachindu Colombage – 3/44
Second-Best Bowler
Jamie Overton – 2/21
Asitha Fernando – 3/53
Wickets Lost
10
10
Winning Margin
89 runs
Lost
Analysis
England now holds a 1–0 series lead after winning the first ODI against Sri Lanka by 89 runs. Harry Brook made 67 to be the backbone of the English batting. A reply to the good work done by the spinners from Sri Lanka. With an unbeaten 46 from Will Jacks, England scored 265 runs. The chase got off to a fine start with some good partnership involving Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka. England bowlers continued to put the Sri Lankan batsmen under pressure. Will Jacks provided the crucial spell and took 5 wickets for just 22 runs. Three wickets from Sachindu Colombage are still very significant for Sri Lanka. The second ODI should again place major emphasis on spin, batting partnerships and middle-over control.
England vs Sri Lanka: 2nd ICC ODI
About the Pitch
A total of 49 ODI matches has been held at Headingley. The teams batting first have an average of 226 runs, while those batting second have an average of 209 runs. The teams batting first have won 19 matches, compared to 27 matches when they have chased.
The surface at the ground might assist the seam bowlers, particularly in the beginning. However, the batters, if they get settled, may score a good total.
How will this reflect in ICC World Cup 2027?
This match provides good ODI practice for both sides ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. It is to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. For England, this will provide an opportunity to try out their batting and bowling combination. Meanwhile, for Sri Lanka, better middle-over skills are needed.
Harry Brook’s team has a 1-0 lead in the series. It also provides them a chance to experiment without any pressure from the series.
KPI & Stats Comparison
KPI
England
Sri Lanka
Series Position
1–0 lead
0–1
1st ODI Runs
265
176
1st ODI Run Rate
5.50
4.76
Wickets Lost
10
10
Top Score
Brook – 67
Wellalage – 45
Best Bowling
Jacks – 5/22
Colombage – 3/44
Headingley Avg. 1st Innings
226
226
Headingley Avg. 2nd Innings
209
209
Analysis
England exhibited greater control in both their innings in the first ODI. Brook stabilized the batting performance, and Jacks added some late runs and key bowling. The bowlers from Sri Lanka put pressure via Colombage and Asitha Fernando. But their batting failed to form partnerships. Given the low average of second innings at Headingley, early wickets would be crucial for Sri Lanka. England will look to repeat its middle-over pressure.
The Pick: England
Conclusion
The upcoming ODIs will be of great help to the teams before the 2027 World Cup. Both teams, South Africa and Australia, will play their match on same pitch at Kingsmead Stadium. England and Sri Lanka will keep their series alive at Headingley, with England being ahead by 1-0 in the series. The recent performance of the teams has been good individually, with the likes of Breetzke, Jacks and Brook leading the charge. The pitch conditions may also have a bearing on the tactics adopted in these two games. However, other than results, the games will offer great ODI experience for the teams ahead of the 2027 ICC World Cup.