Australian International Summer 2025/26

[The Dark Knight]

The schedule for the 25/26 international summer has been released.

Men-
vs South Africa
August 10: 1st T20I, Darwin (N)
August 12: 2nd T20I, Darwin (N)
August 16: 3rd T20I, Cairns (N)
August 19: 1st ODI, Cairns (D/N)
August 22: 2nd ODI, Mackay (D/N)
August 24: 3rd ODI, Mackay (D/N)

vs India
October 19: 1st ODI, Perth Stadium (D/N)
October 23: 2nd ODI, Adelaide (D/N)
October 25: 3rd ODI, SCG (D/N)
October 29: 1st T20I, Canberra (N)
October 31: 2nd T20I, MCG (N)
November 2: 3rd T20I, Hobart (N)
November 6: 4th T20I, Gold Coast (N)
November 8: 5th T20I, Gabba (N)

Men's Ashes (previously announced)
November 21-25: 1st Test, Perth Stadium
December 4-8: 2nd Test, Gabba (D/N)
December 17-21: 3rd Test, Adelaide
December 26-30: 4th Test, MCG
January 4-8, 5th Test, SCG

Women-
February 15: 1st T20I, SCG (N)
February 19: 2nd T20I, Canberra (N)
February 21: 3rd T20I, Adelaide (N)

February 24: 1st ODI, Allan Border Field (D/N)
February 27: 2nd ODI, Hobart, (D/N)
March 1: 3rd ODI, Junction Oval, (D/N)

March 6-9: Test match, WACA, (D/N)

[Lightning McQueen]

Where are we off to after The Ashes?

[Jim05]

Where are we off to after The Ashes?

Pakistan for some T20’s in Feb and then India/Sri Lanka for T20 World Cup straight after that.

We don’t play another test until August when we have one test against Afghanistan in Northern Australia then we get a bit full on and hectic with a 3 test tour of South Africa in Sep/Oct followed by a 4 test series v NZ for our summer and then as soon as that finishes we head to India for 5 tests in Jan/Feb 2027 before finishing with the 150th anniversary test against the Poms at the MCG in March. So 14 tests in just on 7 months

[Lightning McQueen]

Where are we off to after The Ashes?

Pakistan for some T20’s in Feb and then India/Sri Lanka for T20 World Cup straight after that.

We don’t play another test until August when we have one test against Afghanistan in Northern Australia then we get a bit full on and hectic with a 3 test tour of South Africa in Sep/Oct followed by a 4 test series v NZ for our summer and then as soon as that finishes we head to India for 5 tests in Jan/Feb 2027 before finishing with the 150th anniversary test against the Poms at the MCG in March. So 14 tests in just on 7 months

Just such a waste in our calendar to have the warmer months without international cricket at home.

I was blessed growing up in the 80's.

[Jim05]

Just such a waste in our calendar to have the warmer months without international cricket at home.

I was blessed growing up in the 80's.

Yeah, Jan 8th is the last day of International cricket in Australia for the summer and that’s only if the Poms can drag it to day 5.
Quite bizarre to think it’s all over that early

[The Dark Knight]

Australia A will play Sri Lanka A in three one-dayers and two first-class matches in the Northern Territory in July.
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/4269757

[Lightning McQueen]

Australia A will play Sri Lanka A in three one-dayers and two first-class matches in the Northern Territory in July.
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/4269757

Which SA based players will get a gig do you think? Sangha, McSweeney, Dockett, Buckingham and McAndrew would all have to come into consideration.

Fergus would have to be a shoe-in, Patterson, Kellaway and Konstas you would think along with Rocchiwhoever, Bell and Edwards perhaps, Kuhnemann??

[The Dark Knight]

Australia A will play Sri Lanka A in three one-dayers and two first-class matches in the Northern Territory in July.
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/4269757

Which SA based players will get a gig do you think? Sangha, McSweeney, Dockett, Buckingham and McAndrew would all have to come into consideration.

Fergus would have to be a shoe-in, Patterson, Kellaway and Konstas you would think along with Rocchiwhoever, Bell and Edwards perhaps, Kuhnemann??

Yeah I'd like to think the SA players you mentioned would be a good chance, especially McSweeney and McAndrew (depending on his stint with Sussex) but except Doggatt and also Kuhnemann and Kontas as they're going to the West Indies with the Australian squad, that tour is at a similar time to the Aus A series.

Agree O'Neill is a lock and the others are definitely a chance, I'd say potentially Hardie, Phillippe, Sutherland, Bartlett, Neser, Harris, Murphy, Richardson and Morris could also be there aswell depending on fitness and availability (with County cricket and the MLC being on at the same time).

[Aerie]

Where are we off to after The Ashes?

Pakistan for some T20’s in Feb and then India/Sri Lanka for T20 World Cup straight after that.

We don’t play another test until August when we have one test against Afghanistan in Northern Australia then we get a bit full on and hectic with a 3 test tour of South Africa in Sep/Oct followed by a 4 test series v NZ for our summer and then as soon as that finishes we head to India for 5 tests in Jan/Feb 2027 before finishing with the 150th anniversary test against the Poms at the MCG in March. So 14 tests in just on 7 months

Just such a waste in our calendar to have the warmer months without international cricket at home.

I was blessed growing up in the 80's.

I reckon they should bring back the World Series concept in February for International One Day Cricket, with some modifications. I too have fond memories of that being the earliest cricket I watched on TV, as a young child, in the 80's.

- Join forces with New Zealand so all games feature a home team (either Aus or NZ), this tournament to be for the annual Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
- The 3rd team to be the likes of West Indies/Sri Lanka/Pakistan/England or even Afghanistan/Ireland etc. Whoever has a gap in their calendar.
- Australia would play 6 games around the country (4 against invited team, 2 against NZ at home and 2 away), as would New Zealand (4 against invited team and 2 against AUS at home and 2 away), then a Final, either in Aus or NZ depending which team finished higher.
- Doesn't matter if Australia is scheduled to play an away Test series during this period, or if players are rested. A chance to play the professional white ball cricketers and those who have impressed and made a name for themselves during the BBL - which would be fresh in the public's mind having just finished. The Test team considered priority 1 in terms of selection.
- Use the smaller grounds (i.e. the State teams Shield grounds - eg. North Sydney, or Karen Rolton as it was set up for the Shield Final) if public demand isn't great, so it generates atmosphere at the ground and on TV.

FWIW, I'd also start the Shield Season earlier, at the beginning of September, and have the Shield Final scheduled for the gap between Tests in December, i.e. the weekend spare between the Gabba and Adelaide Oval Test. Public interest in red ball cricket is at a premium during this period and I think the Shield Final, as an event, could become a flagship in the calendar, rather than hidden away in March. Then have the domestic 50-over competition run simultaneously with the international tri-series mentioned above, during February. AFL can take over, as they already have done so, once March arrives - plus our cricketers are off to the IPL etc.

Our international summer (Mens) shouldn't finish after the New Years Test.

[daysofourlives]

Where are we off to after The Ashes?

Pakistan for some T20’s in Feb and then India/Sri Lanka for T20 World Cup straight after that.

We don’t play another test until August when we have one test against Afghanistan in Northern Australia then we get a bit full on and hectic with a 3 test tour of South Africa in Sep/Oct followed by a 4 test series v NZ for our summer and then as soon as that finishes we head to India for 5 tests in Jan/Feb 2027 before finishing with the 150th anniversary test against the Poms at the MCG in March. So 14 tests in just on 7 months

Just such a waste in our calendar to have the warmer months without international cricket at home.

I was blessed growing up in the 80's.

I reckon they should bring back the World Series concept in February for International One Day Cricket, with some modifications. I too have fond memories of that being the earliest cricket I watched on TV, as a young child, in the 80's.

- Join forces with New Zealand so all games feature a home team (either Aus or NZ), this tournament to be for the annual Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
- The 3rd team to be the likes of West Indies/Sri Lanka/Pakistan/England or even Afghanistan/Ireland etc. Whoever has a gap in their calendar.
- Australia would play 6 games around the country (4 against invited team, 2 against NZ at home and 2 away), as would New Zealand (4 against invited team and 2 against AUS at home and 2 away), then a Final, either in Aus or NZ depending which team finished higher.
- Doesn't matter if Australia is scheduled to play an away Test series during this period, or if players are rested. A chance to play the professional white ball cricketers and those who have impressed and made a name for themselves during the BBL - which would be fresh in the public's mind having just finished. The Test team considered priority 1 in terms of selection.
- Use the smaller grounds (i.e. the State teams Shield grounds - eg. North Sydney, or Karen Rolton as it was set up for the Shield Final) if public demand isn't great, so it generates atmosphere at the ground and on TV.

FWIW, I'd also start the Shield Season earlier, at the beginning of September, and have the Shield Final scheduled for the gap between Tests in December, i.e. the weekend spare between the Gabba and Adelaide Oval Test. Public interest in red ball cricket is at a premium during this period and I think the Shield Final, as an event, could become a flagship in the calendar, rather than hidden away in March. Then have the domestic 50-over competition run simultaneously with the international tri-series mentioned above, during February. AFL can take over, as they already have done so, once March arrives - plus our cricketers are off to the IPL etc.

Our international summer (Mens) shouldn't finish after the New Years Test.

I dont mind these suggestions, i like the shield final early on. with the ODD and ODI in Feb
Its worth looking at, the current situation isnt real viable, have to try something

[whufc]

I think we would all agree the tri series would be a great addition back to the calendar.

Wasn't the issue not so much our administration but rather the touring nations who wanted us to 'return' the games on their calendar.

If not the concept would work well. Aus to go over and play NZ in 2 ODI's within a week to cut down on flights, accommodation ect and then NZ to come to Aus to play 2 ODI's.

Where would you play the final(s)??? Would imagine it would have to be a one off final? Would NZ be willing to pay for flights and stuff to play a one off final at the MCG.... would we be willing to give up a Final and let it be in NZ if they were the top side?

[heater31]

I think we would all agree the tri series would be a great addition back to the calendar.

Wasn't the issue not so much our administration but rather the touring nations who wanted us to 'return' the games on their calendar.

It wasn't the competing nations that wanted 'us' to return the games it was an ICC requirement for each neutral game the host nation required to play each team in an away fixture.

Designed more to protect the ICC tournaments than each nation hosting multi national tournaments.

[FlyingHigh]

I reckon they should bring back the World Series concept in February for International One Day Cricket, with some modifications. I too have fond memories of that being the earliest cricket I watched on TV, as a young child, in the 80's.

- Join forces with New Zealand so all games feature a home team (either Aus or NZ), this tournament to be for the annual Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
- The 3rd team to be the likes of West Indies/Sri Lanka/Pakistan/England or even Afghanistan/Ireland etc. Whoever has a gap in their calendar.
- Australia would play 6 games around the country (4 against invited team, 2 against NZ at home and 2 away), as would New Zealand (4 against invited team and 2 against AUS at home and 2 away), then a Final, either in Aus or NZ depending which team finished higher.
- Doesn't matter if Australia is scheduled to play an away Test series during this period, or if players are rested. A chance to play the professional white ball cricketers and those who have impressed and made a name for themselves during the BBL - which would be fresh in the public's mind having just finished. The Test team considered priority 1 in terms of selection.
- Use the smaller grounds (i.e. the State teams Shield grounds - eg. North Sydney, or Karen Rolton as it was set up for the Shield Final) if public demand isn't great, so it generates atmosphere at the ground and on TV.

FWIW, I'd also start the Shield Season earlier, at the beginning of September, and have the Shield Final scheduled for the gap between Tests in December, i.e. the weekend spare between the Gabba and Adelaide Oval Test. Public interest in red ball cricket is at a premium during this period and I think the Shield Final, as an event, could become a flagship in the calendar, rather than hidden away in March. Then have the domestic 50-over competition run simultaneously with the international tri-series mentioned above, during February. AFL can take over, as they already have done so, once March arrives - plus our cricketers are off to the IPL etc.

Our international summer (Mens) shouldn't finish after the New Years Test.

I dont mind these suggestions, i like the shield final early on. with the ODD and ODI in Feb
Its worth looking at, the current situation isnt real viable, have to try something

I like some of these ideas and agree, it is all a bit of a letdown with the international summer finishing so early, then a month of same-same American cricket in the height of our summer, which then forces the Shield to finish so late.

The idea of having the Shield Final while cricket is top of mind is a good idea, certainly better than the afterthought we have at the moment and might have more chance of getting Free-to-Air coverage. I guess being a bit of a traditionalist, I'd rather have Shield cricket in mid-December to end-Jan when the pitches and conditions dry out to help the spinners, but obviously this isn't happening at the moment anyway.

I'd like to see us work in an annual Tri-Series with South Africa and NZ, maybe SA one year, Aus/NZ the next. Make it a trophy worth holding, almost like a premiership. One of the issues with WSC was with different teams every year, the trophy meant more to Australia than to them. As Aerie mentioned, neutral games could be taken to smaller venues.

Also, it seems we haven't played many tests whilst New Zealand have been more competitive over the last 10-15 years than they were previously. I'd like to see an Australia-NZ Test series every two years in addition to the traditional Test slots. Have these three Tests in mid-Feb to mid-March. Every four years there would be 7-9 Tests in an Australian summer, and every eighth year most cities would get a second Test. A day-night Test in Adelaide at the end of Feb would be great and would hopefully give members more value for money.