Australia and India to kick off next year's Cricket World Cup

In short:

The draw for the 2027 men's Cricket World Cup has been announced, with Australia playing in the tournament's opening match against India.

Australia is the reigning men's Cricket World Cup champion, having won the 2023 tournament in India.

What's next?

The 2027 event, hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will be held in October and November.

Australia will launch its defence of the men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa next year with a blockbuster opener against India, the powerhouse it defeated to win the crown in 2023.

As the fixtures for the 2027 event in southern Africa were unveiled on Thursday, Pat Cummins's side learned it would take on the title favourite and world number one side on October 7 in its first match in Cape Town.

Both teams will also feature in a potentially explosive group A with Pakistan.

The India-Pakistan clash will take place at Johannesburg ‌in the famed "Bullring" atmosphere of the Wanderers' ground just three days after the Australia match, and that venue will also stage the final on November 21.

Also in Australia's group will be co-hosts Zimbabwe, which it has just beaten 3-0 in an one-day international series at the same Harare venue, as well as Afghanistan and one of two qualifiers yet to be decided.

Its last group fixture will be against Pakistan at Paarl, where Australia will also play the qualifying side.

The other group looks potentially even more challenging, with co-host South Africa, desperately seeking its first men's World Cup, facing England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and another qualifier.

The best four sides will then go on to the semifinals, which will both be played in South Africa.