Australia’s women’s tour of the West Indies in March – April 2026 will proceed without a red-ball fixture, as the hosts opt to sharpen their white-ball focus ahead of a crucial T20 World Cup year.
Australia were originally scheduled to play a historic Test match during the Caribbean tour, which would have been West Indies’ first women’s Test since 2004 but the fixture has been removed from the itinerary. Instead, the series will consist of three T20 Internationals (T20I) and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) across two venues.
The revised schedule will see the teams contest three T20Is in St Vincent on March 19, 21 and 23, followed by three ODIs in St Kitts on March 27, 29 and April 2, as West Indies prioritise limited-overs preparation ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.
“Our planning this year prioritises maximizing white-ball readiness ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” Miles Bascombe, Cricket West Indies’ director of cricket, said. “This series forms a central part of that preparation, allowing us to concentrate resources and build combinations. We remain committed to the long-term growth of women’s Test cricket, and discussions are already underway for a future red-ball opportunity, including a highly anticipated series against England in 2027.”
Cricket Australia confirmed that significant efforts were made to preserve the Test match, though logistical considerations ultimately shaped the final schedule. CA’s head of scheduling and operations Peter Roach said both boards explored multiple alternatives before settling on a white-ball-only tour.
“However, it was also important that this series be played in more than one venue ensuring the best possible facilities and varying conditions,” Roach said. “We’re grateful Cricket West Indies has worked within their constraints to make this happen. CA continues to support women’s Test cricket while acknowledging the differing circumstances in some member nations and their desire to play and promote T20 cricket as they grow the women’s game.”
The tour also signals a significant phase in Australia’s transition, with Sophie Molineux set to lead the side in the post-Alyssa Healy era. Molineux recently captained Australia’s T20I side against India, before Healy returned for the final chapter of her international career, which will conclude with a Test in Perth.
However, Molineux’s availability for the Caribbean tour remains uncertain after she was ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing multi-format series against India due to a back injury.
The ODI leg of West Indies’ tour will carry added importance for Australia, marking their opening matches in the new cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship, which determines qualification for the 2029 Women’s ODI World Cup. The current ODI series against India does not count towards the new cycle.
West Indies, meanwhile, continue their home season against Sri Lanka in Grenada, where they recently lost the ODI series 2-1 and endured a difficult start to the T20I leg, being bowled out for 49 in the opening match before rain washed out the second innings.
