Cricket Australia’s international schedule for the 2020-21 home summer has been confirmed, with just 72 days until the first ODI.
Men’s series against Zimbabwe (ODIs), the West Indies and India (both T20s) and a one-off Test against Afghanistan will precede the highlight of the summer, the four-Test series against India starting at the Gabba on December 3.
There are two tours set for the women’s team: T20s and ODIs against New Zealand in late September and early October, and three ODIs against India in late January.
While the coronavirus pandemic has made fixturing in sport across the globe a difficult proposition, Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts said the summer schedule is likely to go ahead as planned.
“While acknowledging the difficulty in navigating a global pandemic, we are nonetheless encouraged by the progress Australia is making in combatting the coronavirus and the positive impact that is having on our ability to host an exciting summer of cricket in 2020-21,” Roberts said.
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“We know that circumstances or events beyond our control could mean that the final schedule potentially may look different to the one released today, but we’ll be doing everything we can to get as much international cricket in as possible this summer. We will communicate any changes to the schedule if or when they are required.
“We are engaged in ongoing discussions with federal and state governments, our venues and the touring nations to continually understand and monitor the situation in front of us, which is evolving every day. We’ll continue to act in accordance with public health advice and government protocols to ensure the safety of the public, players and support staff.
“We are working closely with the BCCI to deliver the eagerly anticipated men’s and women’s tours, and we are looking forward to staging the important series against both the men’s and women’s New Zealand sides. These are in addition to the scheduled men’s Test against Afghanistan and a T20 series against West Indies.”
The one part of the schedule still very much up in the air is the Men’s T20 World Cup, slated to be held in October and November. The ICC has deferred its decision on whether that tournament will go ahead until June 10, however if it is cancelled, as is largely expected, there would likely need to be a considerable change in the overall summer fixtures in order to prevent India from having to go through quarantine twice.
With Virat Kohli’s side set to arrive in mid-to-late September, it would make little sense for them to play their scheduled T20 series in mid-October then either wait in Australia for the best part of two months before the first Test, or return home only to need to go through quarantine once again before the Test series.
2020-21 men’s and women’s international summer cricket schedule
Men’s ODI series vs Zimbabwe
Australia vs Zimbabwe at TBA (August 9)
Australia vs Zimbabwe at TBA (August 12)
Australia vs Zimbabwe at Riverway Stadium, Townsville (August 15)
Women’s T20 series vs New Zealand
Australia vs New Zealand at North Sydney Oval, North Sydney (September 27)
Australia vs New Zealand at North Sydney Oval, North Sydney (September 29)
Australia vs New Zealand at North Sydney Oval, North Sydney (October 1)
Women’s ODI series vs New Zealand
Australia vs New Zealand at Riverway Stadium, Townsville (October 5)
Australia vs New Zealand at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns (October 7)
Australia vs New Zealand at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast (October 10)
Men’s T20 series vs West Indies
Australia vs West Indies at Riverway Stadium, Townsville (October 4)
Australia vs West Indies at Cazaly’s Stadium Cairns (October 6)
Australia vs West Indies at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast (October 9)
Men’s T20 series vs India
Australia vs India at the Gabba, Brisbane (October 11)
Australia vs India at Manuka Oval, Canberra (October 14)
Australia vs India at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (October 17)
Men’s Test series vs Afghanistan
Standalone Test, Australia vs Afghanistan at Perth Stadium, Perth (November 21-25)
Men’s Test series vs India
Australia vs India at the Gabba, Brisbane (December 3- 7)
Australia vs India at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (December 11 – 15)
Boxing Day Test, Australia vs India at the MCG, Melbourne (December 26 – 30)
Pink Test, Australia vs India at the SCG, Sydney (January 3 – 7)
Women’s ODI series vs India
Australia vs India at Manuka Oval, Canberra (January 22)
Australia vs India at Junction Oval, St Kilda (January 25)
Australia vs India at Blundstone Arena, Hobart (January 28)
Men’s ODI series vs India
Australia vs India at Perth Stadium, Perth (January 12)
Australia vs India at the MCG, Melbourne (January 15)
Australia vs India at the SCG, Sydney (January 17)
Men’s ODI & T20I series vs New Zealand
Australia vs New Zealand ODI at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (January 26)
Australia vs New Zealand ODI at Manuka Oval, Canberra (January 29)
Australia vs New Zealand ODI at Blundstone Arena, Hobart (January 31)
Australia vs New Zealand T20 at the SCG, Sydney (February 2)
Timmuh
Roar Guru
From memory the NTCA Ground hasn't hosted a Shield game this century. And barely a ListA. It does lack facilities, but the oldest First Class venue in the country could host state games again, and womens internationals, with a bit of work. Probably cheaper than an extra drop in at York Park, and adding training facilities etc, each summer. BBL has to be at YP, due to lights.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
As others have said, "confirm" is an optimistic view. There is no guarantee the international teams will be allowed into the country, in some poorer but affected nations even being in a position where they can send a team is questionable. Assuming everything except the WorldT20 goes ahead, like most people I don't understand how Brisbane got an India Test ahead of Perth. I can only presume its because Queensland have shown a willingness to give border exemptions for sporting teams - but WA did offer an AFL "hub" as well. Or maybe the expectation that fans won't be able to come from India, but Indians in Australia might fly from Sydney and Melbourne to Brisbane in greater numbers than live in Perth. I presume the "tba" on the first two Zimbabwe ODIs is due to not knowing what Queensland and NT borders will be like; and may be provisionally Darwin and Cairns for the other two games. Its a shame Zim aren't getting a Test or two, but even iof fans are allowed they would lose money and CA seem to have made a decision that under no circumstances will Australia host more than five Tests. And Seven's contract may well stipulate five Tests, getting an FTA broadcast of low drawcard Tests during footy season wouldn't be easy.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Rowdy, you have too much ... "time" in your hands.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The most tenuous of segues but l can think of no prettier woman……… well there are some others ……. Sophie Marceau, Zooey Deschanel, Kate Bush, Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz, Ana de Armas, Susanna Hoffs, Stevie Nicks, Jacqueline Bisset, Tina Fey, … —– And my first one at age 6, Sally Field.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Well, let's not pretend that was in any way a segue. But if it gets me to moving images of Olga Kurylenko, i'll take it :thumbup:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
As long as l can take Tom Cruise’s place here: https://youtu.be/vUuAbRVVZwA
Jeff
Roar Rookie
On the Death Star however, well that's another matter.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Correct there on the August 2003 Bangladesh series.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Do you mean me writing an article on the current Williams situation in F1? If so, I wasn't planning on doing one, sorry to disappoint.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I was implying one of those drop in deals like everywhere else.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
https://youtu.be/WJIMffhpZRw Humphrey always on hand.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Big crowds expected for Afghanistan in Perth. :unhappy: :cricket:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Empire never goes down on the Sun
Micko
Roar Rookie
Alice Springs & Darwin would be a great Test series locations for Afghanistan considering the history.
Micko
Roar Rookie
When's your Williams article coming out? :unhappy:
Micko
Roar Rookie
That's when the minnows are best placed to get a shot at playing Australia: in the top end during the southern winter & footy seasons. The last time (maybe only? :shocked: ) we played Test Matches against Bangladesh here was in Darwin & Cairns in August of 2003 I think?
Micko
Roar Rookie
I thought that could still happen?
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
interesting long summer for both teams sad none of the games against new zealand are not played in new zealand
Mooty
Roar Rookie
There’s a ground in Launceston they play domestic Shield and one day cricket on occasionally, but it’s devoid of any decent public facilities, that’s why all the crowd pulling games are in Hobart. I don’t think they will put a pitch in York Park the football league, including the AFL, would crack up
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Indeed, assuming that Zimbabwe can come for a short 3 match series in August without a 14-day quarantine seems a bit optimistic, seeing it’s unclear whether a Trans-Tasman travel bubble is up and running by then. Ditto for Windies and Afghanistan. I imagine if regular testing is possible they may not need 14 day quarantines by October, but it’s all still a bit up in the air.