Cricket Australia announces 43 days of action for 2009-10
Cricket Australia has announced the 2009-10 International Program that will see the hosts take on the West Indies and Pakistan in summer that includes six Tests, 10 one-day internationals and three Twenty20s.
Australia will play two separate three-match Test Series against the West Indies and Pakistan in 43 days of international cricket action.
The hosts will play Pakistan in Australia for the first time in a Test series since 2004-05, when Australia won 3-0, while they will also be looking to retain the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy against the West Indies.
The 2009-10 schedule again sees two separate five-match, head-to-head series against the West Indies in January followed by a series against Pakistan in February.
There will be another three Twenty20 Internationals this summer, one against Pakistan and two against the West Indies in February.
Last summer the Twenty20 Internationals at Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney drew a combined crowd total of 121,706 and this summer?s schedule looks set to push that figure as the popularity of Twenty20 cricket continues to capture the imagination of fans.
The Test Series returns to Tasmania again in 2009-10, with a match against Pakistan in January. This is doubled with the state?s very first Twenty20 International scheduled for 21 February that is sure to draw a big crowd.
The Australian summer also maintains its traditional elements with Brisbane again hosting the opening international match of the season when Australia plays the West Indies in the first Test match. The Boxing Day Test and New Year's Test will be against Pakistan in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Similarly to last year, the Test against Pakistan in Sydney will again start on 3 January.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said: "We are very much looking forward to having the West Indies and Pakistan in Australia this summer. They are two countries we have warm cricket rivalries with and I look forward to seeing that continue.
"Hobart has a big summer of cricket ahead, returning to the Test Series schedule with the final Test of the summer against Pakistan. The last time Australia played Pakistan in Hobart, it was a thrilling encounter that saw a magnificent partnership between Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist steer Australia to victory on the final day. It was a fine example of Test cricket.
"In addition to the Tests, Hobart will also host their first Twenty20 International against the West Indies in February and we expect to see a packed house at Bellerive. Twenty20 cricket continues to thrive and Tasmanian fans will be looking forward to their first taste of the format at international level.
"Melbourne hosts back-to-back international matches in early February. A Twenty20 International against Pakistan is followed by the opening Commonwealth Bank Series match against the West Indies two days later.
"We are positive the sports-loving Melbourne public will get right behind the encounters and provide a terrific atmosphere and endorsement for the state once again. Pakistan was runner-up at the last ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 and will be keen to finish their tour of Australia on a winning note.
"After losing the Commonwealth Bank Series trophy to South Africa last summer, I know Ricky and the team will be keen for a clean-sweep this summer and the last two matches of the series against Pakistan in Perth will be crucial to their aspiration.
"West Australians love their cricket and the back-to-back matches on 29 and 31 January will provide a feast of cricket to match their appetite.
"It shapes as another action-packed Australian summer; a schedule that provides plenty of opportunities for cricket fans to get out and see the slightly new-look national team. I'll see you there."
Live scores, match information, statistics, daily match highlights and behind the-scenes videos from the entire 2009-10 international season will again be available to all on www.cricket.com.au
The interstate season schedule and Women's International Series for 2009-10 will be announced in coming weeks.
2009-10 International Program*
Test Series
26 - 30 November Australia v West Indies Brisbane
4 - 8 December Australia v West Indies Adelaide
16 - 20 December Australia v West Indies Perth
26 - 30 December Australia v Pakistan Melbourne
3 - 7 January Australia v Pakistan Sydney
14 - 18 January Australia v Pakistan Hobart
Commonwealth Bank Series
22 January Australia v Pakistan Brisbane
24 January Australia v Pakistan Sydney
26 January Australia v Pakistan Adelaide
29 January Australia v Pakistan Perth
31 January Australia v Pakistan Perth
Twenty20 International
5 February Australia v Pakistan Melbourne
Commonwealth Bank Series
7 February Australia v West Indies Melbourne
9 February Australia v West Indies Adelaide
12 February Australia v West Indies Sydney
14 February Australia v West Indies Brisbane
19 February Australia v West Indies Melbourne
Twenty20 International
21 February Australia v West Indies Hobart
23 February Australia v West Indies Sydney
Events
February Allan Border Medal (date TBC)
