Perth will not host international cricket this summer against India due to hard border

Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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VideoCricket: Indian star duo Ishant Sharma and Rohit Sharma have been left of the squads due to injury for the Australia tour.

Men’s international cricket will not be played in Perth this summer after Cricket Australia released the revised fixtures for India’s tour starting next month.

Western Australia’s hard border means Optus Stadium will not host any of the three one day internationals, three Twenty20s or four Test matches against India, with the SCG to host the majority of the limited-overs games.

Perth was set to host Afghanistan after initially missing out on a Test match against cricket superstar Virat Kohli and his men, but now WA cricket fans will miss out on all international cricket this summer.

WACA CEO Christina Matthews said the decision by Cricket Australia to opt out of WA was “extremely disappointing”.

“The WACA worked tirelessly with Cricket Australia and the WA Government to find a way to bring international cricket to Perth,” she said.

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“It is an extremely disappointing result for our members, fans and our cricket community that WA will miss out on hosting international cricket fixtures this summer.”

Australia and India clashed at Perth Stadium in December 2018, with the Aussies claiming a 146-run win on the back of a superb bowling performance from spinner Nathan Lyon.

India’s tour will start with a one-day international at the SCG on November 27, with the limited-overs fixtures to be split between the NSW ground and Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will start on December 17 at Adelaide Oval with a maiden day-night match between the two nations, with both sides heading in undefeated in pink-ball Tests.

The Boxing Day Test will be played at the MCG, before they head to the SCG (January 7) and finally the Gabba (January 15).

Camera IconYoung cricket fans get behind Australia when India last played at Perth Stadium in 2018. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

“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,” Cricket Australia’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.

“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 everyone at 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.

“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.”

Australian players returning from the Indian Premier League in Dubai are expected to arrive on a chartered flight on November 12, entering quarantine before the opening game.

India’s tour of Australia

ODI Series

First ODI: November 27, SCG, 11.40am

Second ODI: November 29, SCG, 11.40am

Third ODI: December 2, Manuka Oval, 11.40am

Dettol T20 INTL Series v India

First T20: December 4, Manuka Oval, 4.10pm

Second T20: December 6, SCG, 4.10pm

Third T20: December 8, SCG, 4.10pm

Tour matches

Australia A v India A, December 6-8, Drummoyne Oval

Australia A v Indians, December 11-13, SCG (day-night)

Vodafone Test Series v India

First Test: December 17-21, Adelaide Oval, 12pm (day-night)

Second Test: December 26-30, MCG, 7.30am AEDT

Third Test: January 7-11, SCG, 7.30am AEDT

Fourth Test: January 15-19, Gabba, 8am AEDT

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