Australia’s Test summer is set to start in December next year, with James Sutherland mulling how to put together a complex schedule.
India will visit for a four-Test series, including what Cricket Australia boss Sutherland hopes will be a day-night clash at Adelaide Oval, in 2018-19.
Sri Lanka are also due to lob for a two-Test series, including the first Test at Canberra’s Manuka Oval. There will also be a limited-overs series involving South Africa.
“We have to work out what the right balance is and the Test summer won’t kick off until December,” Sutherland told ABC Radio.
“We’re in the throes of working out all the different permutations and combinations. We’ve got four Test matches against India to kick off the summer, then later on two Test matches against Sri Lanka in January.
“It is unusual … next season will be different.”
Overlapping series remain a source of angst for players, with the issue likely to crop up during the next 12 months – potentially as early as February.
Australia face England and New Zealand in a Twenty20 tri-series later this summer – but some members of Steve Smith’s Test XI are likely to be en route to South Africa during the latter stages of that T20 tournament.
India are among the few cricketing nations to express only lukewarm interest in day-night Tests, an innovation designed to improve crowd sizes and TV ratings.
But Sutherland is confident his organisation will be able to convince the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to agree to playing a day-night Test next year.
“I would anticipate there’s not going to be too many problems there,” he said.
“As we’ve discussed at ICC level, it’s very much in the hands of the home country to make judgments on what they think is best.
“It’s pretty well telegraphed that from our perspective we’d be playing at least one day-night Test match every summer.
“This is the future; day-night Test cricket is here to stay.”
Purushotham
Guest
Every year in November there is no better feeling than to get up at 5:30am(IN INDIA) and watch the first ball of the Australian summer LIVE from THE GABBA. And spending the rest of the day until the end of the season watching every ball on Channel 9 feed.
Shane King
Guest
The gabba is an amazing ground. The last 2 years we did get fantasyic crowds .
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
The Gabba itself is a poor ground with not the greatest facilities and terrible public transport. However those that want to compare the crowds are way off base. Put a Sydney or Melbourne Test on during the day in November while people are still working and junior sport is still on Saturday's and see what happens to those amazing crowds they get for Boxing Day and New Years Test. I'm not suggesting moving either the Melbourne or Sydney tests but let's not pretend we're comparing apples with apples.
Gough
Guest
I’m sorry but these comments about poor BRISBANE crowds are ridiculous. Perth can’t even sell out a day of a mere 23000 seat ground (WACA) in an Ashes season. It averages daily crowds of about 10000 in non Ashes years. The Gabba just drew over 130000 for its ashes test when day 5 was a fizzer. The Gabba drew daily crowds in the mid to high 20 thousands in last years test against a low drawing Pakistan. Watching 10000 people turn up at the new Perth football stadium of 60000 is going to be farcical!
Kangajets
Guest
No surprise Brisbane misses out And won’t be missed by me Queensland is really just a rugby league only state these days .
Paul D
Roar Guru
I'm ecstatic. Finally the cricket nuffies can see what we Lions fans have been going through. Also, things have to get worse before they get better. Finally Brisbane realises that simply having a good wicket doesn't mean much if everything else in Adelaide is much, much better. And to be honest, their wicket is a good wicket too. It'll be a day night game in January against Sri Lanka most likely. Just in time for the afternoon storms.
spruce moose
Guest
Brisbane deserve to be in this position. Year after year of ordinary attendances despite receiving some pretty good matches has come home to roost. Though, the idea of Brisbane holding a test in January is insane. That will be rained out for certain.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Indians have played a lots of pink-ball 4 days Ranji Trophy matches in the day-night scenario, hence BCCI will agree to play a day-night pink-ball Test match if pressed hard.
Paul D
Roar Guru
India 4 tests - Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney Sri Lanka 2 tests - Brisbane & Canberra. Brisbane is now well behind the first 4 in terms of crowds & facilities, and short of a 5 test series against England will not be hosting another major cricket nation for a long time.
DavSA
Guest
Actually although from what I gather South Africa are enthusiastic about pink ball cricket challenges remain around in particular expensive upgrading of lighting at all test venues.