Cricket Australia has announced the schedule for the 2018/19 summer of cricket with four teams to tour down under and 22 international matches to be played.
The major drawcard of the summer will be a Test series against India with ongoing discussions to play a day-night Test in Adelaide, while the tourists will also play an ODI and T20 series against the tourists.
Sri Lanka will tour for a two-Test series and South Africa will also play three ODIs and feature in the first international match to be played on the Gold Coast in a T20.
It will be the first time the Proteas will face the Aussies since the dramatic Test series in March marred by the ball-tampering scandal.
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Test cricket will be played for the first time at both Perth's new Optus stadium and Manuka Oval in Canberra.
For the first time in years, the Gabba won't open the summer instead kicking off the Sri Lanka Test series over the Australia Day weekend.
Australia's women's team will also host New Zealand for three ODIs and three T20s along with a Governor General's XI match.
Cricket Australia have also restructured the international calendar to avoid overlapping with the Big Bash League finals ensuring the best players will feature in the finals series.
There will be a different feeling around for the summer of cricket with Fox Sports covering the entire international season.
The Australian crowds won't be watching the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner or Cameron Bancroft while a new coach will also take charge of the national side.
WILL ADELAIDE BE A DAY-NIGHT TEST?
Sadly, no. A Cricket Australia Spokesperson said:
“We can confirm that we have received advice from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it is not prepared to participate in a proposed Day-Night Test in Adelaide this summer. As a result, we can now confirm this Test match will be a Day format.
“Whilst we appreciate some Adelaide fans may be disappointed, we know how popular the Adelaide Test is and look forward to hosting India there in December.
“We are committed to hosting at least one Day-Night Test each home summer as part of our continued focus to grow Test cricket, and we are excited about the Day-Night Test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in January."
THE SCHEDULE
Southern Stars v New Zealand
First T20: North Sydney Oval, September 29
Second T20: Allan Border Field, October 1
Third T20: Manuka Oval, October 5
First ODI: WACA, February 22
Second ODI: Karen Rolton Oval, February 24
Third ODI: Junction Oval, March 3
Governor General's XI match: Drummoyne Oval, February 29
Limited overs series v South Africa
Tour match: PM's XI v South Africa, Manuka Oval, Canberra, October 31
First ODI: Perth Stadium, November 4
Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, November 9
Third ODI: Blundstone Arena, Hobart, November 11
Only T20: Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, November 17
India's tour of Australia
First T20: Gabba, November 21
Second T20: MCG, November 23
Third T20: SCG, November 25
First Test: Adelaide Oval, December 6-10
Second Test: Perth Stadium, December 14-18
Third Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fourth Test: SCG, January 3-7
First ODI: SCG, January 12
Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, January 15
Third ODI: MCG, January 18
Sri Lanka's Test tour of Australia
First Test: Gabba, January 24-28 (D/N)
Second Test: Manuka Oval, February 1-5
TICKETS
Tickets for the general public for the men's international matches will go on sale in June, while women's matches will go on sale in August.
Australian Cricket Family members will have priority access to tickets.
HOW TO WATCH?
Fox Sports will cover all international games for both the men and women.
Channel Seven will also broadcast the men's Test series and the women's internationals.
Both networks will cover the BBL and WBBL competitions.
