Cricket Australia is set to decline an offer from Zimbabwe to host a Test on Australian shores alongside three One Day Internationals.

The decision is said to have been made due to Australia's busy schedule in the lead-up to hosting the T20 World Cup later in the year.

CA has outlined that they would prefer to host a white-ball only tour, Zimbabwe's first to the country since 2003.

Zimbabwe Cricket has also proposed an alternative should the stand-alone Test not go ahead, with three T20s to be added on alongside the three ODIs, which could be a more viable option for both parties.

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Zimbabwe was originally meant to tour Australia in August of last year as part of the ICC Super League, but was ultimately postponed until later on this year due to COVID-19 border closures and quarantine requirements.

The tour is likely to be held in either August or September, as Australia's busy schedule opens up in that time period and borders are set to reopen from March 3 in Australia.

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani spoke on Zimbabwe's opportunity to play a rare Test in Australia and the experience it would bring to their team.

"We told them we want a one-off Test to be part of the tour," Mukuhlani told ESPNcricinfo.

"We don't play many Tests, so if there is an opportunity to play against Australia it would be good for our team."

"A Test match against Australia in their conditions would be great development for our players, who would really look forward to the challenge."

"We are confident either a one-off Test or the T20Is can be arranged, so we have a bigger tour but it is subject to their scheduling. We will come even if it is for three ODIs."

Cricket Australia, however, has held firm that they will stick to the original schedule of three ODI's with the added Test unlikely due to various tours and the T20 World Cup facing the squad in the next 12 months.

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"The Australian team will have a very busy 12-18 months, so the plan is for only ODIs at this point," a CA spokesperson said.

"We are working through dates and venues for all of our matches with stakeholders. It is likely that multiple venues would be used for such a tour."

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The venues that will gain consideration will include Townsville, a venue that was meant to host at least one match during the originally scheduled tour, as well as Darwin.

The big cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will be unable to host any of the ODI's due to clashes with other sporting codes including the AFL, so options for venues will be limited for the tour later on this year.

Cricket Australia is reportedly set to announce the tour in the next few months, whilst Mukuhlani stated the details will be discussed at the upcoming ICC board meeting in April.