Josh Hazlewood would prefer to start Australia’s Test series against India at the Gabba, but the paceman is ready to embrace the prospect of a series opener at Adelaide Oval.
Cricket Australia (CA) is finalising tweaks to its international schedule for 2020-21, with adjustments to be confirmed potentially as early as this week.
The four-Test series between Australia and India is currently slated to begin in Brisbane on December 3-7, but the dates and venue for that much-anticipated contest are expected to change.
The rivals are now expected to play some white-ball cricket before Adelaide hosts the first Test in mid-December.
“We’d love to start in Brisbane probably, with such a great record there,” Hazlewood told reporters.
“That’s just sort of how the summers unfold – we start there, play well there and sort of get on a roll.
“But this year is going to be a lot different.
“We love playing at Adelaide Oval, whether it’s red ball or pink ball … it’s always a great wicket for bat and ball.”
Australia haven’t lost a Test in Brisbane since 1988.
CA’s decision to hold the first Australia-India Test of 2018-19 in Adelaide, rather than Brisbane, rankled Tim Paine’s team.
But they are likely to be more understanding this time, recognising that COVID-19, border closures and quarantine requirements have made rejigging the calendar quite difficult.
India had agreed to play a day-night Test this summer.
But that was on the proviso they were given sufficient match practice in Australia with the pink ball, which may no longer be possible in the updated schedule.
Hazlewood is among Australia’s Test stars who will miss the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield because they are playing IPL in the UAE.
CA staged an intra-squad clash prior to last year’s Ashes, rather than a tour game, and a repeat could be on the cards as national coach Justin Langer mulls the best way for returning IPL players to transition to red-ball mode.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to get enough red-ball cricket in before that first Test. Whether it’s an Australia v Australia A game or something like that,” Hazlewood said.
“I’m quite happy with just the one long-format game (before a Test).
“That’s probably what I have done the last five or six years to be honest.”
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I'd be happy to have a summer of cricket regardless of where it's played
Paul
Roar Guru
If Australia is good enough, I don't see why it matters which ground they start the Test summer? Naturally they'd like to play at a ground where they've had success, but as the number 1 ranked Test side, they should be perfectly capable of winning at any of their home Test grounds.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Glad to read this update. A factor of winning so often at the GABBA must also be touring teams not having played enough tour matches prior to the first test. As a result they are underdone and not entirely ready for our pitches at that time. The Melbourne Age recently reported the MCG was meanwhile working on still holding the Boxing Day test if circumstances permit. But with a crowd maximum of 25,000 per day.