Cricket Australia announced the upcoming cricketing summer’s schedule for both the men’s and women’s national teams. While Ashes remain the main attraction beginning with the traditional Brisbane Test from December 8, Afghanistan’s first bilateral visit down under is also a talking point which is also likely to be the beginning of an end of Tim Paine's long Test career.
The one-off Test, scheduled to be played at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Paine's home town, begins on November 27, marking the start of the Summer for the Men’s team.
Apart from the Gabba Test, the rest of the four Tests for the visiting Joe Root’s side are scheduled to be played at Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium, Perth. While the Adelaide game would be a day-night affair, both SCG and MCG have retained their Boxing Day and New Year’s Test hosting tradition.
The last Ashes game, traditionally held in Sydney would not be possible this time around as Optus, which would be hosting its first-ever Ashes has been awarded the last Test. Prior to Optus, WACA hosted the Perth Ashes Test.
Along with the Ashes and Afghanistan Test, the Australian summer would also witness Aaron Finch’ men in action against both New Zealand and Sri Lanka. While the Blackcaps will play three ODIs and lone T20I, the Lankan Tigers will face the Kangaroos in a five-match T20I series starting February 11 to cape off the Australian summer.
As far as the Southern Stars are concerned, they will be starting their summer with a multi-format tour by the India Women, the schedule for which has not yet been decided. It will be followed by the Women’s Ashes which would include a one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20Is and would be played over the course of 23 days, starting with the Test at Manuka Oval from January 27.