AUS vs NZ — Cricket WC 2027 (Group B)

What this countdown tracks

This countdown follows Australia vs New Zealand at Newlands in Cape Town on 22 October 2027 — a Group B fixture of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, scheduled at 10:00 South Africa Standard Time (SAST). The match revives the Trans-Tasman rivalry at the World Cup for the first time since the 2023 league phase.

Match context

Australia vs New Zealand is among the most storied rivalries in cricket, with a shared sporting heritage stretching back over a century. The two squads met in the 2015 World Cup Final at the MCG, where Australia won their fifth title, and have produced multiple high-pressure encounters at every World Cup since. Recent ODI series between the two sides have been close, with Australia's depth in seam bowling and New Zealand's all-rounder template producing different tactical templates that often play out in close finishes.

Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town is one of cricket's most photographed venues, sitting at the foot of Table Mountain. The pitch typically offers something for everyone — morning swing, pace and bounce through the middle and turn through the back end. Boundary dimensions favour both straight hitting and aerial cuts square of the wicket. The 10:00 SAST start places the second innings into the warmest part of the day, when surface change and outfield-quickness shifts can both come into play.

Both squads carry deep batting orders and seam-bowling rotation, with Australia building around their established core and New Zealand managing generational transitions across multiple positions. The fixture also feeds into Super Six seeding given the format's group-stage points carry-forward.

Broadcast & viewing

Expected broadcasters include the Seven Network and Foxtel in Australia, Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand and SuperSport in South Africa. Star Sports / JioCinema is expected to cover the match in India, Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and ESPN family channels in the United States and Caribbean. Final broadcaster line-up depends on arrangements ahead of the tournament.

What to watch for

• Newlands' morning swing and mid-day surface change
• The Trans-Tasman head-to-head dynamic
• Australia's seam-bowling rotation against New Zealand's batting depth
• New Zealand's all-rounder template against Australian batting
• Spin contribution late in the innings
• Seeding implications for the Super Six stage
• Generational transitions in both squads

Related events to track

Track the Cricket WC 2027 Tournament, the tournament opener and the Cricket WC 2027 Final.

FAQ

When is Australia vs New Zealand? 22 October 2027 (tentative).

What time does Australia vs New Zealand start? 10:00 SAST is the scheduled start.

Where is Australia vs New Zealand being played? Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

How can I watch Australia vs New Zealand live? Expected broadcasters include the Seven Network / Foxtel in Australia, Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand and SuperSport in South Africa.