Perth is set to host the first cricket test between Australia and India in November, taking over from Brisbane’s Gabba ground as the usual opening venue for international series in Australia.
Officials from Cricket Australia revealed Tuesday’s 2024-25 season schedule, confirming that the series against India will begin in the Western Australian capital on November 22.
The second Border-Gavaskar test will be held in Adelaide from December 6, followed by matches in Brisbane on December 14, and then in Melbourne and Sydney for the traditional Boxing Day and New Year’s tests.
Australia has a strong record at the Gabba, winning all 31 season-opening tests since 1989. However, the team has suffered its only two test defeats on the ground when it closed out the summer schedule, including a significant loss to India in 2021.
Initially, the organizers of the Brisbane Olympics had plans to renovate the Gabba for the 2032 Games but abandoned the idea earlier this month.
Peter Roach, Cricket Australia’s operations chief, mentioned that the pitch at Perth’s Optus Stadium is similar to the one at the Gabba. He explained that the national team prefers starting series strongly at venues where they feel comfortable, and both Perth and Brisbane offer similar advantages due to their hard and bouncy pitches.
Adelaide will host the day-night test this series, following Australia’s surprising loss to West Indies at the Gabba last season, which was the team’s first defeat in a pink ball test match.
Additionally, Australia will play a three-match one-day international series and three Twenty20 matches against Pakistan over two weeks starting November 4.
