Internet Desk: Adelaide Oval will host the historic first day-night Ashes Test next summer but that will be the only pink ball fixture in next year’s battle for cricket’s oldest and most prestigious Test match trophy.
Cricket Australia on Tuesday confirmed the full schedule for the national men’s team next domestic summer which includes five Ashes Tests against England, five ODIs between the same teams and a seven-match Trans-Tasman T20 International tri-series featuring Australia, England and New Zealand.
The huge summer schedule will see international cricket return to its traditional starting venue – the Gabba in Brisbane – for the first Ashes Test from November 23.
With the final of the Trans-Tasman T20 tri-series (to held in Auckland) providing the end point to the international season on February 21, before the Australia Test squad heads to South Africa to begin a campaign there.
The more traditional starting time of late November also means that a full three rounds of the Sheffield Shield competition, including one day-night round, can be completed well before the start of the opening Ashes Test which will allow Test aspirants much more red ball match-practice than was possible this year.
One of the items identified for Australia’s poor showing in the first two Tests of the current summer against South Africa was the limited first-class preparation afforded to international players, largely because of the early starting date of the first Test in Perth.
The third Ashes Test will be held in Perth, at either the WACA Ground or the new Perth Stadium if it is completed in time, from December 14.
Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland said the governing body was excited to announce the inaugural Ashes Test under lights.
“We recognise how big the Ashes is for both home and travelling fans, and the early announcement of the schedule for this series will allow fans here in Australia and abroad to plan their Ashes summer,” Sutherland said in a statement.
“This schedule will allow for at least three Sheffield Shield matches to be completed as preparation prior to the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
“The decision to start the international season in Brisbane, then moving to Adelaide, allows us to give Perth Stadium the best chance to host the Test match, so we can welcome an even bigger crowd to Perth next summer.
“We’re really excited to announce that Adelaide will play host to the first ever Day-Night Ashes Test. We know how much Adelaide fans love this style of Test cricket. We’re expecting a full house next year in what is sure to be a great contest.”
The Chappell-Hadlee series will not be contested next season, due to the Ashes Series and T20 International tri-series. The trans-Tasman One Day International series will resume the following season.