Perth will host the fifth and final Ashes Test, confirming a long-rumoured shakeup of the traditional schedule as Cricket Australia revealed the men’s and women’s cricket fixtures for the upcoming summer.
The men’s T20 world cup in October, as well as likely quarantine-induced delays, means the first Ashes Test – at The Gabba – won’t get underway until Wednesday, December 8. That made it impossible to fit another two Tests between then and the traditional Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
That means Melbourne will instead be hosting the third Test of the Ashes and the New Year’s Test in Sydney will be the fourth. Perth’s Optus Stadium will host the fifth Test, beginning on Friday, January 14. The second Test, in Adelaide, will be a day-night fixture.
The last time Sydney didn’t host the fifth Test was the 1994-95 Ashes series, where Australia recovered from being dismissed for 116 in the first innings to secure a memorable draw and retain the urn in the third Test. That series was also the last time Perth hosted the last Test.
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While The Ashes were always going to be the focal point of today’s announcement, Cricket Australia also revealed a host of other important fixtures. Australia will host Afghanistan in a Test for the first time, being played from Saturday, November 27 in Hobart.
The Women’s Ashes, also being hosted in Australia this summer, will be held largely in their own window. The only Test of the series will be played at Canberra’s Manuka Oval from Thursday, January 27, with no men’s matches being played simultaneously until the last day.
The series also comprises three T20s and three ODIs, with five of those matches being played on days the men’s team isn’t also in action.
Just under two weeks after the Ashes wraps up, the men’s side will kick back into action with a three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Perth, Hobart and Sydney, before playing a one-off T20 in Canberra.
The summer then wraps up with a five-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.
Luke Reynolds
Guest
Afghanistan have won 3 Test matches out of the 6 they have played so far
Clear as mud
Guest
A day nighter in Perth? maybe has more to do with prime time in India than all the young east crickett having to go to bed? presuming it finishes 8 there it will be 10 here. tho... it is school holidays so it could be fun. it's also the week after Richmond win another one, so that will give us something to sober up for. I was just looking forward to attending. have to get to Manuka for the England instead, just the thought of Canberra in late January melts my will.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Without googling the details, so from memory, Azza had >50 international bank accounts with >$70m when they finally caught up with him. He’d been using his bribes to bet on the results he fixed to double down on his earnings. Total scumbag; not like any Australians caught up with this crap
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Sounds good to be. Tests over t20s every day of the week
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Sydney folk love a good whine
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Couple of Aussies guilty of that as well .
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
No because that takes away all the drama of a tied series going into the last test. Give me 2-2
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
I'm really not in the mood for the big bash anymore. It lacks talent and is a waste of time. Bring on the tests
Mooty
Roar Rookie
As long as we get a decent Australian team in Hobart. I’m not concerned about the quality of Afghanistan, they’re minnows and I’m sure they will play to their potential. It will just be great having live Test cricket back in Hobart. I for one will attend as many days as possible.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Wouldn't 4-0 be better?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
They've got some pretty fierce types in their society in general so some of them should be physically capable of actually bowling fast at least.
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder if the Sydney Test is still going to be called the New Years Test? Seems silly to do that, but the media knows best.
Paul
Roar Guru
I assume so, but am not sure about the quarantine protocols, ie do the team squads have to isolate from each other? It would certainly make sense logistically.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd have thought the bulk of the England Test squad could head to Australia as early as the first week in November, Brian which would allow them plenty of time to prepare If, for example, they arrived on the 1st, then had quarantine for 2 weeks, they would still have a month from about the 15th of Nov to play at least 2 or 3 practice games
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Couldn't the quarantining returning Aussies and poms play some crowd less games among each other?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Great batsman but. Right at the end of his career he went right off the rails. Left his long term wife and children for a younger Bollywood starlet.
Ben
Guest
As a Perth resident I will be hoping for 1 all coming into the 5th test!
Marty
Roar Rookie
Port Hedland, usually down south in January so should get to a day at least.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Rod Marsh and Adam Gilchrist.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
no idea. needs more research.