The third ODI of the three-match series between Australia Women and India Women, scheduled for 1 March 2026, has been shifted from Melbourne’s Junction Oval to Hobart’s Bellerive Oval. Cricket Australia confirmed the change of venue on Wednesday.
Cricket Victoria informed Cricket Australia that the new floodlights at Junction Oval would not be ready before the match, and that ongoing installation efforts would render certain areas of the venue off-limits to spectators.
“We are disappointed to have had to move this match from Junction Oval and that there will be no women’s international match in Melbourne this season,” said Peter Roach, CA Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling. “We had anticipated the lights at Junction Oval would be installed several weeks before this fixture and were looking forward to celebrating the first international match under lights at the ground.”
The other ground in Melbourne – the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – was unavailable to host the final one-dayer due to planned renovation works. As a result, no women’s international matches will be played in Melbourne this season.
“Unfortunately, the MCG is not available due to renovation works, while logistical factors, including the compact multi-format schedule and ongoing works at Junction Oval, meant we could not stage this match as a day fixture either.”
After the second ODI at Bellerive Oval, both teams will remain in Hobart for the third ODI, which will now be played at the same venue.
“We are grateful to Cricket Tasmania for hosting a second game in Hobart and hope fans in Tasmania will seize both opportunities to support our world champion women’s team. We look forward to a wonderful series against India and to women’s international cricket returning to Melbourne next season,” he concluded.
India’s multi-format tour of Australia will begin with a three-match T20I series starting on 15 February in Sydney, followed by a three-match ODI series beginning on 24 February in Brisbane, and concluding with a historic one-off day-night Test in Perth from 6 March.
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