The much-anticipated One-Day Cup 2025-26 is set to kick off on Tuesday, September 16, with New South Wales (NSW) and Tasmania launching the men’s domestic summer at Cricket Central in Sydney. NSW, buoyed by a recent 3-0 sweep over Victoria in pre-season matches, will be eager to start the new campaign on a high note against a formidable Tasmania side featuring Australian all-rounders Beau Webster and Mitch Owen.
Queensland and Victoria will begin their season the following day at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field. This venue will also host the clash between Victoria and Tasmania on Friday. Meanwhile, reigning champions South Australia and Western Australia will face off against NSW and Queensland, respectively, over the weekend. The initial block of six matches will conclude at Karen Rolton Oval on Wednesday, September 24.
Season Structure and Schedule
The One-Day Cup format ensures each team plays seven matches throughout the season. The top two teams will qualify for the final, scheduled for February 28, which will be hosted by the team finishing at the top of the table after the regular season. Teams will play five matches before the KFC BBL|15 break and two afterward, with each state hosting at least three home games during the summer.
Fans can access the full schedule and broadcast details on cricket.com.au, ensuring they don’t miss any of the action.
Insights from the Coaches
Cricket.com.au gathered insights from the head coaches of the six competing teams, offering a glimpse into their strategies and expectations for the season.
Greg Shipperd (NSW): “(Our goal) again is to just be super competitive and in the race in the last rounds for an opportunity to qualify for finals. It’s going to be quite a quizzical start to the season in the sense that a lot of players are removed from the group with all these clashing fixtures (with) Australia and Australia A playing.”
Johan Botha (Queensland): “It’s wide open, there’s so many good teams. You just look at the first two rounds of games, there’s going to be some very good players playing in those games so you’re going to have to win, I think, high-scoring matches.”
Ryan Harris (South Australia): “One of my themes … is we’re not the hunted. We’re still making sure that we’re hunting out there and trying to get as much success as we can and play the best cricket we can.”
Jeff Vaughan (Tasmania): “We feel as though we’ve evolved for the better from last season in our Tigers program, largely from a couple of small additions … and we’ve got some great depth with our bowlers now.”
Chris Rogers (Victoria): “It’s another good health check of your squad – are we developing cricketers who can step up and perform, even though they’re not always your first selected players.”
Adam Voges (Western Australia): “The guys are hungry, they’ve come back in really good nick, and they’ll be keen to have some better results, particularly to start the summer.”
Viewing and Attendance Options
All matches will be streamed live on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, with additional availability on Kayo Sports in Australia. Fox Cricket will broadcast three matches, including the final, ensuring fans have multiple options to catch the action live.
For those wishing to attend in person, free entry is available for matches at NSW’s Cricket Central, Queensland, and Tasmania home games, as well as South Australia’s matches at Karen Rolton Oval. Ticketing details for other venues, including the Junction Oval and MCG, are available for fans planning to attend.
The Dean Jones Trophy
The One-Day Cup champions will be awarded the Dean Jones Trophy, introduced last season following a public vote. South Australian skipper Nathan McSweeney was the first to lift the trophy last March. Dean Jones, a revered figure in Australian cricket, played 52 Tests and 164 ODIs, leaving a lasting legacy with his dynamic batting style.
Follow the Action
For those unable to attend or watch live, cricket.com.au and the CA Live app offer comprehensive coverage, including live scores, news, interviews, and highlights. Fans can also replay every wicket in the match center on the CA Live app.
The points system awards four points for a win, with bonus points available for teams achieving a superior run rate. The top two teams on the points table will qualify for the final, with net run-rate deciding positions if teams are level on points.
As the One-Day Cup 2025-26 unfolds, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to a season of thrilling matches and fierce competition, culminating in the crowning of the next champion.
