England's Secret WACA Warm-Up: What It Means for the ODI Series

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England will play a 50-over warm-up against a Western Australia XI at the WACA Ground on 7 November 2026, ahead of their ODI series against Australia. Here's what you need to know.

The England men's white-ball cricket team is heading to Perth for a 50-over warm-up match against a Western Australia XI. The game will be played at the historic WACA Ground on 7 November 2026, starting at 11:30 AM AWST. It's a day fixture, and it gives England some much-needed match practice just six days before they kick off a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia at Perth Stadium on 13 November 2026. England's white-ball coach, Brendon McCullum, specifically asked for this fixture. He wants his team ready for an eight-match tour that also includes a five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series across November and December. It's all about getting the squad into rhythm before the real battles begin. ### Why This Warm-Up Matters This white-ball tour is a big part of England's build-up to the 2027 Cricket World Cup. After the opening ODI at Perth Stadium on 13 November, the action moves across Australia. The second ODI is in Adelaide on 15 November, and the 50-over series wraps up in Hobart on 18 November. Then the two sides switch to T20 mode for a five-match series from 21 November to 2 December. Scheduling is always a headache, and this tour is no exception. England plan to field a full-strength squad for the ODIs, but they might rest several Test players during the T20I series. Why? Because those players need to be fresh for an upcoming Test tour of South Africa. Meanwhile, Australian selectors have their own juggling act. They have to manage key Test bowlers who finish a three-Test series in South Africa on 31 October, just before a four-Test series against New Zealand starts on 9 December. ### Squad Outlook: Who's In and Who's Out England's white-ball captain, Harry Brook, leads the squad. He's joined by senior batter Joe Root, fast bowler Jofra Archer, and the gifted left-handed batter Jacob Bethell. Keep an eye on Archer—he could unleash his extreme pace on the fast WACA pitch. That's always a sight to behold. Western Australia, on the other hand, faces some roster challenges. Their Test and ODI players—Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, and Cooper Connolly—will likely miss this fixture. Australia's South Africa Test tour finishes just six days earlier, on 31 October. The warm-up game falls midway through an 11-day break between away Sheffield Shield matches in Adelaide and Melbourne. So, WA XI selectors might turn to fast bowlers Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, and Mahli Beardman, depending on their fitness and red-ball workloads. ### Tickets and Broadcast Details WA Cricket leaders are thrilled about this match. John Stephenson, the CEO of WA Cricket, called it a special event for local supporters. "We are thrilled to welcome England back to the WACA Ground for what promises to be a fantastic day of cricket," he said. "It is a special opportunity to see some of the world's best white-ball players, and to prove the strength of our elite cricket programs here in WA." Ticket sales opened through Ticketmaster on 5 October 2026. There was a pre-sale for Perth Scorchers members from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by general public sales at 2:00 PM. Prices start at $10 for juniors, $15 for concession holders, $25 for adults, and $60 for family passes. Financial WACA Members get free match access under their 2026–27 membership package. Broadcast details for the warm-up game will be announced later. But for the first ODI on 13 November, you can catch live coverage on Kayo Cricket, ABC Cricket, SEN, and Triple M. This warm-up isn't just a friendly. It's a crucial stepping stone for England as they fine-tune their white-ball game. With big names like Brook, Root, and Archer in the mix, fans in Perth are in for a treat. And for the players, it's a chance to get used to the conditions before the ODIs begin. The WACA pitch is known for its pace and bounce, so the fast bowlers will be licking their lips. So mark your calendars for 7 November. It might be a warm-up, but it's going to be competitive. England won't want to start their tour with a loss, even if it doesn't count in the official records. And the Western Australia XI will be eager to prove themselves against international opposition. For more cricket news and updates, keep following our blog.

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