Four, count ’em four, teams will tour Australia this summer of cricket, with Test series to be played against South Africa and Pakistan, and ODI series against New Zealand and Pakistan, and a Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka all to take place on Australian soil.
The two-Test series have had their dates set, but the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval is under threat, with South African players reportedly not ready to commit to the concept.
Tony Irish, the chief of South Africa’s Players’ Association, told News Corp the players weren’t willing to say yes to the idea of day-night cricket with a pink ball at this stage.
“Our players are not in favour of playing the game under those conditions,”
“The main reason is we feel disadvantaged. Not one of our players who will compete in that Test has played Test match cricket or any cricket with a pink ball.
“The reluctance to play is a sign of how much importance the South African players place on the series against Australia.”
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland expressed delight that fellow travellers Pakistan would play a day-night Test match with the pink ball at the Gabba in Brisbane, but said the Adelaide Oval game was a work in progress.
“We believe that Queensland’s climate really lends itself to Test cricket in day-night conditions, making for a great fan experience,” Sutherland said.
“Pakistan should be applauded for committing to and supporting the day-night Test initiative
“Their current bowling line up will put our batsmen to the test and I have no doubt this will be their major strength in the series.
“Day-night Test cricket, combined with this attack, will promise fans an exciting spectacle and we look forward to seeing a packed Gabba to welcome them.”
He also took the opportunity to put the heat on South Africa about committing to the day-night game.
“There is enormous expectation that we deliver another pink-ball Test match this summer in Adelaide,” Sutherland said.
“Understandably, there is some concern from the South African players, but day-night Test cricket is all about the fans and a day-night match in Adelaide will be a bigger Test match crowd than the South African players will have ever experienced.”
Last year’s day-night Test at the revamped venue was a huge hit, despite only lasting three days, and Sutherland insists that pink ball cricket is a concept that needs the teams’ commitment.
“The success of Adelaide last year demonstrates the huge potential the day-night format has in revitalising Test cricket all over the world, and it’s for that reason that it is our desire to stage another Test under lights at that venue.
“We believe that having the ability to move matches into the evenings provides cricket fans with greater access to the game, both at the ground and at home on TV, and there is no doubt that this will help grow interest in Test cricket.
A day-night Test would also be broadcast in more friendly hours for South African viewers, with a day time Test match beginning at 2am in the Republic.
On top of the three-Test series against South Africa and Pakistan, Australia will play a three-game One Day International series against New Zealand, in the middle, and a five-game series against Pakistan after the Sydney Test match. Sri Lanka will also be on our shores in mid February for a three-game Twenty20 series, starting on the 17th.
Notably the WACA will be the first venue to host a Test this summer, not the Gabba. Brisbane will get its chance for the first Test against Pakistan on 15 December.
Hobart also gets a Test match, while Canberra will host a one dayer against New Zealand.
2016 Test Series vs South Africa
3-7 November: WACA Ground, Perth
12–16 November: Blundstone Arena, Hobart
24–28 November: Adelaide Oval, AdelaideODI Series vs New Zealand
4 December: SCG, Sydney
6 December: Manuka Oval, Canberra
9 December: MCG, Melbourne2016/17 Test Series v Pakistan
15–19 December: Gabba, Brisbane (Confirmed as a Day-Night Test)
26–30 December: MCG, Melbourne
3–7 January: SCG, SydneyODI series vs Pakistan
13 January: Gabba, Brisbane
15 January: MCG, Melbourne
19 January: WACA, Perth
22 January: SCG, Sydney
26 January: Adelaide Oval,Twenty20 Series vs Sri Lanka
17 February: venue TBD
19 February: venue TBD
22 February: venue TBD
Craig Swanson
Guest
Pleased to hear that James Sutherland will not be inducing SA financially to change its mind over next summer's planned pink test. Would open a right can of worms if he did. If the Saffers want to opt out, that is its lookout. The rest of the world appear keen on pink day/nite tests.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Instead of whinging the Saffers should get pro active. It has seven months to do some homework on day/niters back home. If there is no cricket being played at least do some nite net practice with the pink ball. Get a taste for it. CA should schedule a couple of day/nite warm up games prior to the tests next summer.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Still only six tests every year. Want to see more and less ODI s.
Praveen
Guest
I watched India play at manuka last year and it was a fantastic atmosphere there, good decison
Don Freo
Guest
I love it! With all this Test cricket, Shaun Marsh gets the chance to get his average over 40. All is good with the world.
Naveen Razik
Roar Pro
TBH South Africa are really terrible at the moment, fell from first to third over the summer, and will only fall further. Pakistan are right behind, although they only really play at home. I can't see SA doing any better against Australia.
Brian
Guest
So the BBL presumably start Dec 20th and ends late January. Again the best Test series will be all over by December. Why can't they give South Africa a day/night warm up game against some Shield sides. It can't be that hard to organise. I suspect the real issue is money. The NZ were unhappy last year then CA upped the player payments. The South Africans are probably just following the precedent set. The NZ ODI series is odd presumably any player misfiring in the SA series would want to go play Shield and get some form before Pakistna but instead will play 3 ODI on flat decks against NZ.
Brian
Guest
Surprised they didn't let Canberra have a Test this time around.
Johnno
Guest
I forgot my mistake. But it has to be said in 2005/6 they then came here in 2008/9. And there was a silly 2-test series there in 2011 that should never have happened, considering they played there in 2014.
jamesb
Guest
Johnno South Africa were last here in December 2012. That series was Ricky Ponting's last.
Annoyedofit
Guest
South Africa last toured Australia in 2012. 4 years ago, not 3. Nice try. God only knows what you're on about
Johnno
Guest
Test cricket schedule is a joke now. Teams are now touring excessively the good teams. It now seems we're playing south Africa every 3-years at home. It should be every 4-years like past. What's going on with theist cricket and schedules. It's too much cricket played between the 2 teams. Test cricket must be desperate, that they can't have every 4 years vs south africa.
Internal Fixation
Guest
Because SA have their own poorly attended home matches to go back to. Test crowds in SA are appalling relative to the quality of cricket played there in recent years. They should be embracing the pink ball with open arms - particularly as with their quality seamers they have a potential advantage
Internal Fixation
Guest
Sorry mds but the chance of Adelaide Oval being poorly attended day or night is very low. It is a huge social event in Adelaide and one might argue that SACA have let in too many members but nonetheless people want to use their tickets and the great facilities at the oval. Whilst I'll be disappointed if SA don't "play ball" I think Adelaide crowds will still be good.
Bryan
Guest
Tri Serioes lost a lot of popularity
Bryan
Guest
Well Hobart attendance record is ridiculously bad. Even Darwin had as many attend a test, at half the population base http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/77/77463.html http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-12/hobart-crowd-figure-slightly-larger-than-expected/7023808
jamesb
Guest
Why didn't CA schedule three ODIs against South Africa after the test series? That would make sense. And they should bring back the tri series, but a shortened version of it. Eg six matches per team and one final, instead of in the past, where there was eight matches per team and best of three finals series. Then follow it up with the three twenty/20 games. Also there is a bit of a gap from the final ODI against Pakistan (Jan 26) to the first Twenty/20 against Sri Lanka (Feb 17)
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
With Australia still struggling so much to nail down it's best T20 team, it wouldn't be the worst thing anyway to basically pick a team of the best BBL players leaving all the test players out and give them some international exposure.
Niranjan Deodhar
Roar Pro
Previously, sense prevailed in the scheduling of Australian Summer. There used to be two teams playing Test Cricket against Australia and the same two teams were a part of Tri-series along with the hosts Australia. Look at the current schedule, it appears to be that Cricket Australia just wants to keep their players heavily busy right from November to February. Chappell-Hadlee trophy is good, but it looks inconsequential in the current schedule, sandwiched between two Test Series. Moreover, that T20 series against SL too is a dead rubber. Seeing the way Cricket Australia and BCCi schedule their home series of-late looks as if their schedule is far too much money driven and lacks cricketing sense. It's high time that the big three of Cricket show some cricketing logic while scheduling their home series. The only thing that is worth appreciating in the current schedule is the possibility that we can witness day-night Test Cricket with two Tests scheduled to be played under lights.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Boo hoo Saffers...do not like the day/niter with the pinkie because a couple of Aussie flat trackers went bleating to you.The ICC & CA said the Aussie matches last season were a huge success so the day/nite pink ball test will not be going away. Reckon then Saffers you had better get with it or you will miss out.