Sport

The summer of cricket set to be hotter than ever!

We didn’t think the summer of cricket could get any hotter but Cricket Australia has just released the playing schedule for the 2016/17 men’s international cricket season and it is epic!

The Aussies will host Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in a series of Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODI) and Twenty20 matches, with the first Test match kicking off at the WACA on November 3.

In an exciting move, Cricket Australia has backed the pink ball and scheduled a day/night Test match between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba.  The first day/night Test match was a massive success and continuing the format in the upcoming series is testament to its popularity.

The Gabba will host the event during the summer school holidays, making the December 15-19 Test a fantastic family event. The Test between Australia and Pakistan will kick off a three Test series between the two foes who are currently the number one and four ranked Test playing nations in the world.

Queensland cricket fans will no doubt understand and appreciate the significance of the day/night Test and will embrace the opportunity to see two of the world’s best cricketing nations battling it out under lights at the Gabba.

The opening match of the 2016/17 men’s schedule will take place at Perth’s WACA ground. Australia will welcome South Africa for a three Test series, which kicks off on November 3-7 at the venue with one of the most feared pitches in the world.

South Africa is currently the third-ranked Test team in the world and will pose a massive challenge for the locals. The first Test has traditionally been held at the Gabba each summer, but in 2016/17 it will be Perth’s chance to witness the opening match live.

The WACA and Gabba grounds will also be used as venues for a five-match ODI series between Australia and Pakistan. The series will commence in Brisbane on January 13 and Game 3 will be played in Perth on January 19. Three additional games will be played in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

New Zealand will make the trip across the ditch to play a three-game ODI series in early December, between Australia’s two three-Test series against Pakistan and South Africa.

In February, the summer of cricket will conclude with three Twenty20 Internationals between Australia and Sri Lanka at yet to be confirmed venues.

All-in-all, the 2016/17 men’s international schedule promises to be an amazing few months of cricket. With four of the world’s best nations heading to our shores to play all forms of cricket, you can guarantee Aussie cricket fans will have a very entertaining summer!

Tickets to the 2016-17 international summer of cricket will go on sale from 31 May 2016. Ticketmaster will sell tickets for all cricket matches at the WACA and Gabba. Visit our website for more information and to purchase tickets.