Ashes shake-up revealed as Perth pinches series finale from Sydney

The Australian summer of cricket has been revealed with Perth’s Optus Stadium snagging the final Test of the summer away from the SCG.

It will be the first time since 1995 the final Test of an Ashes series on Aussie soil won’t be played in Sydney, with Perth capping off a six-Test summer.

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The summer will start with a historic one-off Test against Afghanistan, a match that was meant to take place last year but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BBL favourite Rashid Khan and his Test teammates will finally play Australia for the first time, with the match to be played at Tasmania’s Blundstone Arena from November 27 to December 1.

It leads into the highly anticipated Ashes series between World No. 3 England and No. 4 Australia. Having famously retained the Ashes in England two years ago, Australia will be desperate to hang on to the little urn.

The series will begin in Brisbane at the Gabba (December 8-12), followed by a day-night Test at Adelaide Oval (December 16-20).

The traditional Boxing Day Test (December 26-30) will be at the MCG and New Year’s Test at the SCG (January 5-9) before the series finishes in Perth from January 14-18.

A potential Perth decider could be a shrewd move for Australia, who boast a strong record in the west.

An Ashes decider at Optus Stadium would be epic.Source:Getty Images

Australia and England have played 14 matches in Perth — all at the WACA rather than Optus Stadium — with Australia having won 10 times and lost just once to go with three draws.

If the series goes down to the wire, Australia will like their chances at the ground. In their two matches at the stadium, Australia have beaten India by 146 runs in 2018, and thrashed New Zealand by 296 runs in 2019.

“The men’s Ashes is one of the great global sporting rivalries and seems to grow ever larger with each series and generation,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said. “We cannot wait to host England over five Tests this summer. The most recent Ashes series was a remarkable contest that captured the imagination of the entire cricketing world and I expect this summer to be no different.

“In a perfect world, we would welcome the Barmy Army back to these shores for a summer of singing and sportsmanship. Of course, we will be guided by the Australian Government on all things related to international travel.

“We are also incredibly excited to welcome Afghanistan to our shores for a historic first Test match against Australia. The story of the Afghanistan cricket team is one of the most uplifting in international sport, and their record of three wins from their first six Tests prove they truly belong at this level.”

The Aussie quicks have enjoyed the new stadium in Perth.Source:Getty Images

The mens summer will also finish with three ODIs against New Zealand from January 30, as well as a T20I in February 8. Sri Lanka will also play a five-match T20I series from February 11 to February 20.

The Australian women will also have a busy summer with a series against India still to be confirmed before an Ashes series, starting with a one-off Test on January 27-30 at Manuka Oval, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs.

Full 2021-22 Australian International Summer of Cricket Schedule

MENS

Vodafone Test v Afghanistan

November 27 – December 1: Blundstone Arena

Vodafone Ashes Series

December 8 – December 12: The Gabba

December 16 – December 20: Adelaide Oval (Day-night)

December 26 – December 30: MCG

January 5 – January 9: SCG

January 14 – January 18: Perth Stadium

Dettol ODI Series v New Zealand

January 30: Perth

February 2: Blundstone Arena (Day-night)

February 5: SCG (Day-night)

Dettol T20I Series v New Zealand

February 8: Manuka Oval

Dettol T20I Series v Sri Lanka

February 11: SCG (Night)

February 13: The Gabba (Night)

February 15: Metricon Stadium (Night)

February 18: Adelaide Oval (Night)

February 20: MCG

WOMENS

Australian Team v India – TBC

Commonwealth Bank Ashes – Test

January 27 – January 30: Manuka Oval

Commonwealth Bank Ashes – T20I

February 4: 1st T20I – North Sydney Oval (Night)

February 6: 2nd T20I – North Sydney Oval (Night)

February 10: 3rd T20I – Adelaide Oval (Night)

Commonwealth Bank Ashes – ODI

February 13: 1st ODI – Adelaide Oval

February 16: 2nd ODI – Junction Oval

February 19: 3rd ODI – Junction Oval

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