Cricket Australia has unveiled its action-packed domestic schedule for the upcoming 2023-24 summer, and it includes a thrilling contest between Australia A and New Zealand A. The two teams will face off in two four-day matches, including a day-night pink ball fixture, as well as three 50-over matches, set to take place in Queensland during August and September.
Following Australia A’s tour of New Zealand in April, which featured two enthralling four-day encounters, the return series has been confirmed to be held in Brisbane and Mackay, Queensland. Fans can anticipate high-quality cricket as some of the most promising talents from both sides battle it out on the field. In addition, Cricket Australia has also announced a Prime Minister’s XI four-day game against Pakistan, scheduled to be played at Manuka Oval in Canberra ahead of Australia’s first Test against Pakistan in Perth on December 14.
The excitement doesn’t end there, as the West Indies team is slated to play a tour game against a CA XI in a four-day encounter starting on January 10 at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide. This will serve as a warm-up match before the much-anticipated two-Test series against Australia, commencing on January 17 at Adelaide Oval.
The Sheffield Shield season is scheduled to run from October 3, 2023, until the final on March 21-25, 2024. Six Shield rounds will be played before the first Test, with the final round starting on November 28 to accommodate the earlier start of the Big Bash League (BBL) on December 7. Consequently, it is likely that Australia’s multi-format players may not have the opportunity for a red-ball game before the Test series against Pakistan, as they will be participating in the 50-over World Cup in India, scheduled from October 5 to November 19. Following the World Cup, Australia will stay in India to engage in a five-match T20I series before returning home for the Test series against Pakistan.
Marsh Cup will be an eight-team competition this season
The Marsh Cup, the 50-over competition, will consist of an eight-game tournament this season, as opposed to a full 10-round home and away schedule. Defending champions Western Australia will kickstart their campaign for a three-peat against Queensland at Allan Border Field on September 24. Most of the Marsh Cup matches will take place before the BBL, with each state playing its final two matches after the BBL concludes in late January. The Marsh Cup final is set to be played on February 25, while the WNCL final will take place the day before on February 24.
The women’s domestic season will commence on September 22 at Cricket New South Wales’ newly developed facility, Cricket Central at Sydney Olympic Park. This venue will host matches for the WNCL, WBBL, and Marsh Cup this summer, including its maiden first-class game where New South Wales will face Queensland in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield season. Furthermore, as part of Cricket Australia’s initiative to showcase more domestic women’s matches on prominent international venues, Adelaide Oval will host a day-night WNCL match between South Australia and Victoria on January 29.
To add to the excitement, there will be a Governor General’s XI match against South Africa’s women’s team on January 24 at North Sydney Oval, serving as a prelude to the women’s seven-match multi-format series against Australia, which commences on January 27.
With a jam-packed schedule featuring thrilling contests across various formats, cricket fans can eagerly anticipate a summer filled with intense competition and memorable performances.
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