Ashes 2021/22 schedule announced: Australia to begin title-defense in Brisbane
Cricket Australia has announced the schedule for the Ashes 2021/22. The men's team will begin their Ashes title defense with the first of five-Test series in Brisbane from December 8. Ahead of the Ashes, Australia will host Afghanistan for the first-ever Test between the two nations. Meanwhile, the women's side will kick-start their Ashes campaign with the one-off Test at the Manuka Oval.
The Ashes series opener in Brisbane will be followed by a Day/Night Test at the Adelaide Oval. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) hosts the traditional Boxing Day Test, starting December 26. The New Year's Test will be hosted by the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), while Perth's new Optus stadium will play host to the fifth Test.
Here is the schedule for Men's Ashes 2021/22. 1st Test: December 8-12, Gabba. 2nd Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval (D/N). 3rd Test: December 26-30, MCG. 4th Test: January 5-9, SCG. 5th Test: January 14-18, Perth.
After the completion of Ashes, New Zealand will visit Australia for a short white-ball series. The three-ODI series, the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, begins on January 30 in Perth, and concludes at the SCG. A one-off T20I at the Manuka Oval will follow the ODI series. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are also due to tour Australia for a five-match T20I series between February 11 and 20.
The Australian men's team is set to compete in the longest format after a gap of 312 days since their last assignment, which was against India in January. They lost the four-match Test series 2-1 to India at home.
The summer of Australia Women begins with an all-format series against India, the dates of which are being worked out. In the Ashes, the one-off Test will be followed by three T20Is, and as many ODIs. Thereafter, the women's team leaves for NZ to take part in the 2022 ODI WC. Australia Women will also be competing in the Commonwealth Games later that year.
Here is the schedule for Women's Ashes 2021/22 Only Test: January 27-30, Manuka Oval 1st T20I: February 4, North Sydney Oval 2nd T20I: February 6, North Sydney Oval 3rd T20I: February 10, Adelaide Oval 1st ODI: February 13, Adelaide Oval 2nd ODI: February 16, Junction Oval 3rd ODI: February 19, Junction Oval
