Cricket Australia (CA), on Wednesday, has announced the schedules for both the Men’s and Women’s Ashes series which will take place later this year after the completion of the ICC T20 World Cup in India.
Tim Paine’s men will begin their title defence at the Gabba in Brisbane, followed by a Day-Night Test in Adelaide. Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground and the newly-built Optus Stadium in Perth will host the next two matches. This is the first time in more than two decades that Sydney is not hosting the final Test of the Ashes.
Australia had regained the Ashes after thrashing England 4-0 in 2017/18 at home. In 2019, they drew the series 2-2 in England to retain the urn.
But before the Ashes, Australia are supposed to play a solitary Test match against Afghanistan, beginning on 27 November. The match was scheduled to take place last year, but was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
Australia will also host New Zealand next January for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, comprising of three ODIs.
Australia Women will play a Test in Canberra in the last week of January, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs, as part of the Women’s Ashes. Both teams will then depart to New Zealand for the 2022 ICC Women's ODI World Cup.
Men’s Test v Afghanistan
November 27-December 1: Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Men’s Ashes
December 8-12: The Gabba, Brisbane
December 16-20: Adelaide Oval (Day-night), Adelaide
December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne
January 5-9: SCG, Sydney
January 14-18: Perth Stadium, Perth
Women’s Ashes
Test: January 27-30, Manuka Oval, Canberra
1st T20I: February 4, North Sydney Oval, Sydney
2nd T20I: February 6, North Sydney Oval, Sydney
3rd T20I: February 10, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
1st ODI: February 13, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
2nd ODI: February 16, Junction Oval, St Kilda
3rd ODI: February 19, Junction Oval, St Kilda