It’s that time of year again. Footy Finals are finishing, most of our teams have been eliminated and the weather is heating up.
That can only mean one thing. Australia is gearing up for another glorious summer of cricket. Here is an overview of what we have to look forward to.
Matador Cup
As usual, our first taste of cricket is the domestic one-day competition, the Matador Cup. Last year we saw the innovative idea of a young National Performance Squad compete, which is set to continue for this season.
Every state is also represented. Seeing our home-grown talent biding for an international berth is a great welcome into the summer of cricket.
The competition commences on October 1 with the National Performance Squad Squaring off against the Queensland Bulls. The final is on the 23rd October.
Every match will be broadcast on the nine network, mainly on gem, as well as the cricket Australia app.
Sheffield Shield
Immediately after the Matador Cup concludes, the Sheffield Shield begins. The Sheffield Shield is a men’s, four-day competition where each state competes.
On 25th October, the first round of matches begins. After that, another four matches are played before a break to accommodate for players also competing in the Big Bash League. It then resumes at the start of February.
The final is played on the 26th of March, making it the final match of the Australian Summer of cricket. All matches can be followed via the cricket Australia Live app.
Australia versus South Africa three-match Test Series
This series marks the start of the national summer of cricket. A couple of changes will happen this year.
The first, and major change is that the Gabba has lost its status as hosting the first Test of the summer. The second is that the Test cricket part will start earlier.
Australia will have played South Africa in two O.D.I series by the time we play them here in Tests. The Aussies will be hoping to turn around their shocking sub-continental tour and win this series to start the summer positively.
This series will also see the second day-night Test. The series will be broadcast on Channel Nine as well as the Cricket Australia App.
Match 1- 3-7 November-Waca Ground, Perth
Match 2- 12-16 November- Blundstone Arena, Hobart
Match 3- 24-28 November- Adelaide- Day/Night Test
Australia v New Zealand O.D.I series
The three-match series marks the start of our return O.D.I series against New Zealand. Australia are ranked number one in the world and with key weaponry such as David Warner and Mitchell Starc, so it will be a challenge for our little cousins.
It should be a tight few days of cricket.
Match 1- fourth December- SCG, Sydney
Match 2- sixth December- Manuka Oval, Canberra
Match 3- ninth December- MCG, Melbourne
Test Series versus Pakistan
The last time the Pakistanis came to play Tests in Australia was back in 2009-10. Unless Peter Siddle gets a call up for the Tests, none of our squad members have hosted Pakistan before in this format.
The three-match series will be entertaining with Channel Nine and the Cricket Australia live app to be broadcasting.
Match 1- 15-19 December- The Gabba, Brisbane (Day/Night)
Match 2- 26-30 December- MCG, Melbourne
Match 3- 3-7 January- SCG, Sydney
BBL|06
The smash and bash of the Big Bash League has become the pinnacle of Australian summers, growing popularity each year. It has attracted larger crowds than internationals and drawn kids away from the devices for a few hours to see some entertaining and colourful excitement.
The tournament starts on the 20th December with the Sydney derby to get the ball rolling at Spotless Stadium. The final is to be staged on January 28th. Each team is permitted two international players and each team shall play eight home-and-away games.
Channel Ten and the Cricket Australia Live app are the places to watch it.
ODI series versus Pakistan
To follow up on the Test series, Australia will host Pakistan for five tense ODIs. When you have two top ODI teams clash, it is sure to be a close encounter.
The tension will be amazing with thousands of Pakistani fans expected to be there to see their team battle it out. All Matches will be broadcast on Channel 9 and the Cricket Australia Live App.
Match 1- 13th January- Gabba, Brisbane
Match 2- 15th January- MCG, Melbourne
Match 3- 19th January- WACA, Perth
Match 4-22nd January- SCG, Sydney
Match 5- 26th January- Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Matches 1, 2, 4 and 5 are Day/Night Matches while match three is a day match
Twenty20series versus Sri Lanka
Australia will play a three match Twenty20series against Sri Lanka (plus a prime ministers XI game). Although Australia are not noted for their Twenty20success, they recently beat Sri Lanka in a Twenty20series on their turf.
The series will see Geelong’s Simonds Stadium host its first international match as well. All matches are broadcast on nine and the Cricket Australia live app.
Prime Minister’s XI game- 15th February- Manuka Oval, Canberra
Game 1- 17th February- MCG, Melbourne
Game 2- 19th February- Simonds Stadium, Geelong
Game 3- 2second February- Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Two exciting domestic series, six Test matches, eight ODIS, three T20Is and a Prime Minister’s game is what the summer looks like. It promises to be fun and entertaining, so I can’t wait
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Very useful attack. I hope Steyn stays fit, he usually brings his A game to Aus.
craig swanson
Guest
The bottom line fellars is that we should be playing red ball cricket as preparation for a tough tests summer. Time CA thought outside the box and brought the Shield forward SO OUR TEST BOYS CAN PLAY THREE OR FOUR GAMES AS A WORTHWHILE TEST WARM UP.
The Bush
Roar Guru
James Anderson is the biggest home town hero in bowling history. The Poms have no chance. They might draw a test this time though, if Broad turns up.
AREH
Roar Guru
Well last time in Australia Jimmy appeared to be the flat-tracker...Broad not so much as he still had an excellent series just got little support That said, they were able to adapt to the conditions and bowl beautifully in 2010-11, so every chance they could again. Anderson definitely going to play and won't pull the pin? Guess it's only 12 months away and it could be his Ashes swansong.
VivGilchrist
Guest
Yes, the Aussie flat trackers .... good one. Well done David.
Tanmoy kar
Guest
Both the Test Series will be interesting and keen-contested. But Australia will win both ODI & T20 Series easily against S.A. & Pak.
David a Pom
Guest
Been feeling bloody terrific since the 60 all out! Looking forward to my next 2 Christmas presents: beating India in India, and then Jimmy and Broad carving out the Aussie flat trackers to keep the ashes in Mother England.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Perth aside, last summer was fine for tests -- Adelaide was a great wicket for the quicks, Brisbane had plenty in it when the Australians bowled -- NZ just bowled garbage. Can't pass any judgement on the West Indies games; the quality of the cricket was far too poor.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Should do it whenever Sri Lanka, England, or India are over here -- would solve that third game crowd problem pretty snappy.
VivGilchrist
Guest
Thanks for your contribution David. Now that you've got that of your chest I hope you'll feel better about your day.
VivGilchrist
Guest
Makes sense. Thanks.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
thanks gentlemens
Rellum
Roar Guru
This summer looks far too pack with a almost obscene amount of random and meaningless short form international tournaments that are there purely to make cash. I was watching the the "Battered Bastards of Baseball" the other day, a baseball film and I could not help but see the parallels with how CA has reshaped the structure here. Shield and Domestic One day games are really just AAA farm teams whose sole goal is to develop players. Futures league is the AA and I guess Club cricket operates as the A level. All now there as a pyramid structure of player development up to the franchise team, in our case the Australian cricket team. I mean we are as close as we can get to having a 25 man roster.
AREH
Roar Guru
Yep two D/N tests this summer after convincing RSA around to it... Both really should be brilliant contests
The Bush
Roar Guru
I did say "domestic cricket" as opposed to "Shield Cricket". I accept that due to the schedule we have to sacrifice somewhere (i.e. our Tests players not playing any FC cricket prior to the summer), but the end result of the current structure is that our Test players won't play any domestic cricket at all during the summer, of any kind.
David a Pom
Guest
Hahaha good to see the Aussies coming back to their flat decks, everyone getting a chance to recover their averages after the Sri Lanka shambles before heading to India next year to have their averages dragged down again when they lose 4-0. India is the biggest challenge in world cricket, a test of skill, temperament and patience, and we beat them last round and will do so again this December. Aussies are one-trick ponies
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
If the test/ODI players weren't in South Africa playing a pointless ODI series, they would be still be playing one day cricket in the Matador cup. Not ideal preparation for a test series. Unless they scheduled one or two Shield games really early in the season, it isn't possible for our test players to warm up with good quality first class games at the start of a summer. I agree with your point about the NZ ODI series between the two test series. Seems odd and could disrupt the team, particularly for those that play both tests and ODIs.
jonty smith
Roar Guru
Brissie will host its first day night test and Adelaide will once again host a day night test. Just left that info out, sorry
Andy
Guest
ahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhaahahhaahaha. fair contest between bat and ball. so cute a hope.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The Brissie Test is a day nighter isn't it?