Australia vs New Zealand 2026-27 Test Series: Preview, Schedule & Tips

Australia host New Zealand for a four-Test series across December 2026 and January 2027, headlined by the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year's Test at the SCG.

Australia host New Zealand for a four-Test series across December 2026 and January 2027, headlined by the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year’s Test at the SCG. It is New Zealand’s first Test series of more than three matches since 1999, with all four Tests played in traditional daytime conditions and squeezed into 31 days. Below we preview the series, the schedule and the key betting angles. For the full summer calendar see our international cricket hub and the main cricket betting page.

Australia vs New Zealand 2026-27 Test schedule

Test	Venue	Dates
First Test	Perth Stadium	9 to 13 December 2026
Second Test	Adelaide Oval	17 to 21 December 2026
Third Test (Boxing Day)	Melbourne Cricket Ground	26 to 30 December 2026
Fourth Test (New Year’s)	Sydney Cricket Ground	4 to 8 January 2027

 

Series preview

Australia start as clear favourites at home, where their pace attack and settled batting order have made them extremely difficult to beat in recent seasons. New Zealand have won just one Test series in Australia, back in 1985-86, and will need their fast bowlers to make the most of the bounce on offer at Perth and the MCG to stay competitive across the four matches.

The middle of the series brings the two showpiece fixtures. The Boxing Day Test at the MCG traditionally draws the largest crowds of the summer, while the New Year’s Test at the SCG closes the series. With four Tests inside 31 days, squad depth and workload management for both pace attacks are likely to shape the result.

Series prediction and betting angles

The core prediction is an Australian series win. For value beyond a short outright price, the margin and method markets, series correct score, and top run-scorer and top wicket-taker for each side are worth close attention once squads are confirmed. We will add per-Test tips and updated odds in the days before each match.

If you are new to the format, our guide on how to bet on cricket covers every market, and you can compare the leading cricket betting sites in Australia before you bet.

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Looking for the best bookmakers to bet on the cricket?

At BettingPro.com.au we cover the best Australian online betting sites for the 2026-27 cricket summer, from this series against New Zealand through the Big Bash and beyond. Get the latest odds, expert tips and the insight you need to bet smart.