The high-profile Test series against India in the upcoming home summer season has forced Cricket Australia to make announcements related to preparation. To prepare for the five Tests, the men’s team stars from all formats can play a maximum of four Sheffield Shield matches.
On Thursday, they announced the domestic match schedules by Cricket Australia. Since the Men in Yellow concluded their white-ball trip of England and Scotland on September 29, they would be ready for Sheffield Shield season starting October 8.
As per the schedule, six Sheffield Shield rounds will be played before the commencement of the men’s Big Bash League which begins on 15th December; however, the national team will also receive white ball visitors from Pakistan (3 T20Is and 3 ODIs) in November thus affecting their presence on red-ball matches.
The Shield fixtures will offer chances for fringe players like Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris to enhance their selection cases. With Steve Smith opening the innings after David Warner’s retirement and the decision not bearing fruit so far, selectors may look for another batter to add to the squad.
Australia have not secured a Test series victory against India since the 2014-15 season
For the last ten years, Australia has been dominated by India in Test cricket. The Indians have not been defeated in any Test series by the Baggy Greens since the 2014-15 series Down Under. They contested a challenging series at the beginning of 2017 and were able to recover the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before winning another two away from home.
Another four-Test sequence held in the subcontinent’s favourite island kept the trophy within her territorial boundaries early last year. The old home team needs to win it back. The series will be significant to their title defence as Pat Cummins’ players also currently have the mace for the World Test Championship.
The Test series will kick off on Friday, November 22, in Perth. Thereafter, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney are going to host the next four fixtures respectively.
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