Australia announce summer schedule

[Sir john]

Cricket Australia has announced a packed summer schedule with India, England and South Africa, all arriving at their shores. The program, released by Cricket Australia this morning, includes a limited overs tour by South Africa in November, consisting of 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is. India will then arrive for a 4-Test series, to be played at Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney before England join the two teams for a triangular tournament. South Africa will start the summer schedule with three T20Is, to be played at Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney (Stadium Australia). Perth will host the first two ODIs before the series moves across to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. India are scheduled to play 2 two day practise games before the start of the Tests. The Gabba in Brisbane will host the first Test from December 4th, Adelaide Oval will play host to the 2nd Test from December 12th followed by the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne and the New Year Test at Sydney. The triangular series has been shortened this year to just three rounds of fixtures followed by an one-off final on February 1st at the WACA, Perth. Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland said it was a massive challenge to schedule the matches, especially with the Cricket World Cup, 2015, close on its heels. "The next 12 months will have something for everyone, Sutherland said. "It contains some refinements from last season that benefits both players and fans. Never before have we had so much high quality cricket to offer around Australia, whether its international or domestic, men's or women's, or played with a red or white ball. "CA is responsible for the scheduling of all international and domestic matches and the priority this summer has been finding a balance across the country to ensure fans enjoy what will be a sensational summer of cricket," he said. Australia's international season concludes with the 2015 World Cup, to be jointly co-hosted with New Zealand. The mega event kicks off on February 14th with two matches involving both hosts. New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in the opener at Christchurch while Australia play England on the same day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Schedule South Africa in Australia Nov 5: 1st T20, Adelaide Oval Nov 7: 2nd T20, MCG, Melbourne Nov 9: 3rd T20, Stadium Australia, Sydney Nov 14: 1st ODI, WACA, Perth Nov 16: 2nd ODI, WACA, Perth Nov 19: 3rd ODI, Manuka Oval, Canberra Nov 21: 4th ODI, MCG, Melbourne Nov 23: 5th ODI, SCG, Sydney India in Australia (Tests & practise matches) Nov 24-25: 2-day tour match, Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg Nov 28-29: 2-day tour match, Adelaide Oval Dec 4-8: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane Dec 12-16: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, MCG, Melbourne Jan 3-7: 4th Test, SCG, Sydney Australia, India and England tri-series Jan 16: Australia v India, MCG, Melbourne Jan 18: Australia v England, SCG, Sydney Jan 20: England v India, Gabba, Brisbane Jan 23: Australia v Eng