The Gabba will host its first Test against South Africa since 1963 and Canberra fans will have the chance to watch the Australian men’s team for the first time in a one-day international after the 2012-13 Australian summer of cricket schedule was announced today.
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43 days of cricket
The Gabba will host its first Test against South Africa in 49 years and Canberra fans will have the chance to watch the Australian men’s team for the first time in a one-day international after the 2012-13 Australian summer of cricket schedule was announced today.
The summer will feature 43 days of international cricket plus three tour matches against South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. It includes a pair of three-match Vodafone Test Series, twin five-game Commonwealth Bank Series and three KFC T20 INTLS.
Tickets will go on sale on Thursday 4 October starting with a priority period offering discounted tickets for members of the Australian Cricket Family (ACF). ACF members will have access to some of the best seats in the house and discounted ticket prices for seven days before general public sales open on 11 October. General public sales will include tickets for both international and KFC T20 Big Bash League matches.
Action starts with South Africa
The action starts in just 114 days at the Gabba, with Brisbane hosting current second-ranked Test nation South Africa for the first time in 49 years. In the last Australia-South Africa Test played at the ground in December 1963, a Richie Benaud-led Australia drew with a South African team featuring six debutantes including left-handed batting ace Graeme Pollock. That match is also infamous for being Ian Meckiff’s last after he was no-balled for throwing four times in his only over.
From the Gabba, the series moves to Adelaide and Perth before South Africa leaves and Sri Lanka arrives for another three-match Vodafone Test Series.
The opening match of the Sri Lanka series will be played at Blundstone Arena, Bellerive. If Ricky Ponting plays all three Vodafone Tests against South Africa, he will be in line to create Australian cricket history by passing Steve Waugh as Australia’s most capped Test cricketer at his home ground.
The MCG and SCG retain their traditional Boxing Day and New Year slots as hosts of the second and third Vodafone Tests against Sri Lanka. The SCG will host the Pink Test for the fifth time, with Cricket Australia’s community action program, Cricket Cares, looking to build on the $3.5 million it has raised for the McGrath Foundation over the course of its five-year partnership.
The twin Vodafone Test Series will be followed by a pair of five-match, head-to-head Commonwealth Bank Series, the first against Sri Lanka and the second against West Indies. The series against West Indies will be highlighted by the first international cricket match featuring the Australian men’s team in Canberra.
Canberra to host Windies ODI
In a big year for Canberra cricket fans, Manuka Oval will also host a Chairman’s XI match against Sri Lanka and the traditional PM’s XI clash, this summer against West Indies, as part of the national capital’s centenary celebration.
The Commonwealth Bank Series will be split by the first two KFC T20 INTL matches against Sri Lanka. In a break from tradition and while Adelaide Oval is being redeveloped, Sydney will host the Australian team on Australia Day with a KFC T20 INTL at Sydney Olympic Park. The match in Sydney will be followed by a return clash between the teams at the MCG on 28 January. The third KFC T20 INTL, and the final international match of the summer, will be played against West Indies on 13 February at the Gabba.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland encouraged fans to get along or tune in to watch Australia’s favourite team pursue its campaign to continue to re-emerge as a force in Test cricket.
“There are 43 days of international cricket plus three tour matches for fans to enjoy this summer,” Mr Sutherland said.
“Over the last 12 to 24 months we’ve seen some young and exciting talent injected into the Australian men’s team and those changes are starting to reap the rewards of the hard work led by Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur.
“The Australian men’s team has a chance to test themselves early in the summer against a very strong South African side and the series is a great way to start the program.
“We’re also fortunate to have Sri Lanka back again. They play a very entertaining and attacking style of cricket and as we saw last year have a passionate and vocal fan base around Australia.
“This year we also return to head-to-head Commonwealth Bank Series and a highlight will be the Australian men’s team first international match in Canberra. The match is part of a big year of celebrations for Canberra and fans will be spoilt for choice with West Indies playing in the city twice and Sri Lanka once over the course of the summer.
“The Test and one-day series are again complemented by KFC T20 Internationals, including the Australia Day blockbuster at Sydney Olympic Park that I’m confident will draw a bumper crowd after last year’s first international match at the venue.”
Tuning in
All international matches will be broadcast in Australia on the Nine Network, ABC Radio and Vodafone mobile devices, with daily highlights shown on FOX SPORTS.
Australia’s summer of international cricket is also broadcast around the world by CA’s key international partners ESPN Star Sports (Asia), SKY Sport (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa) and Willow TV (United States and Canada).
Cricket.com.au will have all the live scores, as well as behind the scenes action on CATV or via Vodafone’s iPhone mobile application ‘Cricket Live’
Australian Cricket Family
Joining the Australian Cricket Family is free and membership offers the exclusive opportunity to buy some of the best seats in the house before they go on general sale. ACF membership also provides access to discounted tickets (compared to pre-purchase and at-the-gate ticket prices), and is the best way for fans to guarantee they have a great view of the action. Fans have until 11.59pm (AEST) on 1 October 2012 to register for the ACF and qualify for access to the priority ticketing period and other membership benefits. Find out more
Tickets on Sale
Thursday 4 October – 9am ACF Gold Priority Period opens (International Cricket only)
Thursday 4 October – 5pm ACF Gold Priority Period closes
Friday 5 October – 9am ACF Priority Period opens (International Cricket only)
Wednesday 10 October – 5pm ACF Priority Period closes
Thursday 11 October – 9am General Public sales open (International Cricket and BBL single match tickets)
Note: A Gold member is any ACF member who has bought tickets to international cricket via the ACF priority period in two of the past three years.
Cricket Australia Travel Office
Fans interested in travel packages are encouraged to contact the Cricket Australia Travel Office
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Vodafone Test Series |
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9 - 13 November
22 - 26 November
30 Nov - 4 December
14 - 18 December
26 - 30 December
3 - 7 January
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Australia v South Africa
Australia v South Africa
Australia v South Africa
Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v Sri Lanka
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'Gabba
Adelaide Oval
WACA Ground
Blundstone Arena
MCG
SCG
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Commonwealth Bank Series
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11 January
13 January
18 January
20 January
23 January
1 February
3 February
6 February
8 February
10 February
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Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v West indies
Australia v West Indies
Australia v West Indies
Australia v West Indies
Australia v West Indies
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MCG
Adelaide Oval
'Gabba
SCG
Blundstone Arena
WACA Ground
WACA Ground
Manuka Oval
SCG
MCG
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KFC T20 Internationals |
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26 January
28 January
13 February
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Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v Sri Lanka
Australia v West Indies
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Sydney Olympic Park
MCG
'Gabba
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First Posted 19 July, 2012 1:00PM AEDT
