Boxing Day Test in as Australia-India schedule confirmed

There will be crowds at the MCG on Boxing Day as Cricket Australia releases the fixtures for the Indian tour.

The Boxing Day Test will take place at the MCG as the Indian tour fixtures are locked in. Picture: Jay Town

India has signed off and Cricket Australia has confirmed the schedule for the summer released in The Australian today, approving last minute change of plans created when problems with the Queensland government forced the tour arrangements to shift to NSW at the last moment.

The Indians will fly into Sydney on November 12 once approval has been given by Border Force officials.

The Test summer begins with India playing first day-night Test against Australia at Adelaide (Dec 17-21) and progresses to the MCG for Boxing Day, SCG (Jan 7-11) and finishes at the Gabba (Jan 15-19).

The Australian Test team is the ranked No 1 by the ICC, the contest features six of the 10 best batsmen in the world and the series is a chance for Australia to make amends for a loss in 2017-18 when the side was without Steve Smith or David Warner.

Steve Smith hasn’t played in a Test match since January. Picture: AAP

The men’s international summer begins with the three-match ODI Series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (November 27, 29) and Manuka Oval, Canberra (December 2). That is followed by the three-match T20 International Series at Manuka Oval, Canberra (December 4) and the Sydney Cricket Ground (December 6, 8).

Cricket Australia’s interim CEO Nick Hockley, thanked the Indians for their support during what was a difficult period.

Australia had, until last week, believed the white ball component and quarantine part of the tour would be served out in Brisbane.

“Across all three formats, Australia and India represents one of the great rivalries in world sport and we are delighted to welcome Virat Kohli’s outstanding squad to Australian shores this summer,” Hockley said.

“We have worked closely with the BCCI for many months to bring this tour to life, and I cannot speak more highly of the professional, thorough and collaborative manner with which they have approached this tour in these extraordinary and complex times.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Sourav Ganguly, Jay Shah, Hemang Amin and the BCCI for the faith and support they have shown in the plan we have developed, which we believe will result in a safe and successful summer for all involved.

“We would also like to especially thank the NSW government for allowing players from both teams to safely prepare during quarantine, as well as other governments and health authorities who have worked with us to host a series which, I have no doubt, will live long in the memories of all who experience it.

Virat Kohli and the Indian squad will fly into the country on November 12. Picture: AFP

“I would also like to thank everyone across Australian cricket and our valued partners for working tirelessly to navigate through the challenges and deliver a schedule that will bring joy and excitement to hundreds of millions of fans at home and abroad.

“The safety of the Australian community and all participants is our highest priority and we will continue to work with governments across Australia to ensure the schedule proceeds in line with relevant directions and biosecurity protocols. In relation to the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, we are working in partnership with the Victorian government and the Melbourne Cricket Club, with plans to safely host spectators at the iconic event. More details will be shared closer to the time.”

India A will take on Australia A at Drummoyne Oval (December 6-8), and India will play Australia A in a day-night match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (December 11-13).

India’s squad will arrive in Sydney on November 12 subject to Australian Border Force authorisation and departure approvals. The team will quarantine in Sydney prior to the first match of the series on November 27.

ODI Series v India
First ODI: Friday, November 27 – Sydney Cricket Ground (Day-Night)
Second ODI: Sunday, November 29 – Sydney Cricket Ground (Day-Night)
Third ODI: Wednesday, December 2 – Manuka Oval, Canberra (Day-Night)

T20 INTL Series v India
First T20: Friday, December 4 – Manuka Oval, Canberra (Night)
Second T20: Sunday, December 6 – Sydney Cricket Ground (Night)
Third T20: Tuesday, December 8 – Sydney Cricket Ground (Night)

Test Series v India
First Test: December 17-21 – Adelaide Oval (Day-Night)
Second Test: December 26-30 – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Third Test: January 7-11 – Sydney Cricket Ground
Fourth Test: January 15-19 – The Gabba, Brisbane