Be sure to get your helmets and pads ready for a monster summer cricket schedule.
The Australian men’s cricket calendar is about to begin, but it’s more of a marathon than a sprint, so prepare yourself accordingly.
While organizers have already quashed some criticism of the fabricated 2023-24 fixture results, there is no doubt that there will always be challenges and there will still be saliva.
Australia’s men’s group will take on two iconic cricket outfits, but there is no doubt that the hosts will be expected to take it all in the warmer months. These days, it’s not so easy to book cricket powerhouses every summer. The challenges of adjusting the schedule each year are also increasing. But this year has been a total mess, especially considering Australia played India in the World Test Championship and then played a full Ashes series in England.
Why Australia’s summer cricket schedule is unique
Unlike previous summers when the Test series started in late November or early December, the schedule has changed for the first time in nearly a century.
The opening Test will begin on December 14th, making it the latest start for a men’s Summer Test since the 1924 Ashes.
Can Usman Khawaja keep scoring goals? |Summer cricket schedule announced
Three One-Day Internationals and a T20 will conclude the summer here, making it the perfect end to a jam-packed cricket calendar between now and then for the Australian side.
But the summer of cricket will be here in Australia before we know it. So, here’s everything you need to know about the men’s cricket schedule from December to February this year.
Which touring countries make up Australia’s summer cricket schedule?
pakistan and west indies
West Indies return to Australia for the second time in recent years. They will play against Australia in all three formats. Some missteps in the ICC’s Future Tour program forced the eighth-ranked Test team to return to Australia, hoping to put in a much better performance than the last time they lost with three defeats. Probably.
But before the West Indies arrive, Australia will face Pakistan for the first time since the pandemic, with their previous tour of Australia in 2019 ending in defeats at both the Gabba and Adelaide Oval.
This time it will be a three-Test series at completely different venues, including the famous MCG for the Boxing Day Test and the Sydney Cricket Ground for the New Year Test.
Secure your tickets to Australia’s summer cricket schedule
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Australia summer test schedule
Pakistan Series | Summer Cricket Schedule
1st Test | Australia vs Pakistan | Perth Stadium | December 14th to 18th
2nd Test | Australia vs Pakistan | MCG | December 26th to December 30th
3rd Test | Australia vs Pakistan | SCG | January 3rd to January 7th
The standard five Test venues will be rotated again in the summer of 2023-24, starting with Australia facing Pakistan at Perth Stadium in WA on December 14.
West Indies Series | Summer Cricket Schedule
1st Test | Australia vs West Indies | Adelaide Oval | January 17th to January 21st
2nd Test | Australia vs West Indies | Gabba | January 25th to January 29th
This summer’s only day-night Test match will be played at the Gabba rather than at Adelaide Oval, which is hugely popular as a pink-ball Test venue and prime back party mission.
Images from Cricket Australia
Unfortunate decision on January 26th | Summer cricket schedule
Controversially, Cricket Australia has scheduled this summer’s day-night Test match for January 26 (or ‘Australia Day’ for some). It was a surprising move from the cricket world considering women’s superstar Ash Gardiner had scheduled the women’s ODI on the same day earlier this year.
CA spent ample time reading the room on this issue.
Australia ODI Summer Cricket Schedule
1st ODI | Australia vs West Indies | MCG | February 2
2nd ODI | Australia vs West Indies | SCG | February 4
3rd ODI | Australia vs West Indies | Manuka Oval | February 6
The three-match ODI series against West Indies will be played in two major cities, the other at a smaller venue at Manuka Oval in the capital.
It is the only international match to be played in Canberra this summer.
Australia T20i Summer Cricket Schedule
1st T20 | Australia vs West Indies | Blundstone Arena | February 9th
2nd T20 | Australia vs West Indies | Adelaide Oval | February 11
3rd T20 | Australia vs West Indies | Perth Stadium | February 13th
The T20 is also against West Indies, a format with a very strong history that the country excels in, having won the World Cup in 2012 and 2016.
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australia new zealand tour
1st T20 | New Zealand vs Australia | Sky Stadium, Wellington | February 21
2nd T20 | New Zealand vs Australia | Eden Park, Auckland | February 23
3rd T20 | New Zealand vs Australia | Eden Park, Auckland | February 25th
1st Test | New Zealand vs Australia | Basin Reserve, Wellington | February 29th – March 4th
2nd Test | New Zealand vs Australia | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | March 8-12
