Cricket Australia set to announce schedule for India series; Brisbane to host the opening Test

Cricket Australia (CA) is all set to announce their international schedule for the 2020-21 home season on Friday. The ongoing pandemic had put their season under threat but the improving situation in the country has kept them hopeful. Moreover, the much-anticipated India series seems to be going ahead as well after much deliberation with the visitors to be quarantined for 14 days after reaching the country.

Interestingly, the venues are also going to be different for the series if the reports are to be believed. This is contrary to the earlier speculations when the possibility of playing all four Tests at the same venue was being discussed.

According to 7News, Brisbane has won the hosting rights for the first Test of the four-match series which is now scheduled to commence on December 3. India hadn’t played a Test at The Gabba during their previous tour in 2018-19 season. India hasn’t won a Test so far at the venue in six outings in the longest format losing five of them. They also last played in Brisbane in Tests in 2014 which was also MS Dhoni‘s last match of his career in the format.

Perth not to host any match of the Test series

This time around, Perth has missed out on hosting the marquee series with Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney getting a chance to host the rest of the matches. Moreover, Adelaide is also likely to host the first-ever day-night Test between the two teams. India had lost their only match of the Test series last time around in Perth.

The report also stated that the second Test of the series will be played from December 11 while the MCG and the SCG will host the traditional Boxing Day and New Year’s Test. According to the earlier schedule, team India is also slated to play three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals on the tour. But it will depend on the COVID-19 situation and the restrictions at that time.

As many as five men’s teams including India are to visit down under in the upcoming season. But it remains to be seen if all the bilateral series will go ahead as planned.