The halfway point between ODI World Cups is approaching with the next edition to be held in South Africa , Zimbabwe and Namibia in late 2027. In Cairns on Tuesday, Australia and South Africa play their first matches in the format since the Champions Trophy, when they both exited in the semi-finals.

Following that tournament, Steven Smith , Glenn Maxwell and Heinrich Klaasen have announced their retirements from ODIs - the latter from all white-ball internationals - and, as is often the case during World Cup cycles, there is a sense of renewal and rebuilding ahead of the next edition, where Australia will be the defending champions after their triumph in India.

Since the 2023 World Cup, these two sides are at the lower end of the table in terms of ODIs played , and Australia

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