Cricket Australia is confident of hosting a safe and successful summer after revealing its 2020-21 men’s and women’s international fixtures.
The full itinerary includes international cricket in every month from August to February. However, CA chief executive Kevin Roberts has made it clear that it is subject to change amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak.
"While acknowledging the difficulty in navigating a global pandemic, we are nonetheless encouraged by the progress Australia is making in combating the coronavirus and the positive impact that is having on our ability to host an exciting summer of cricket in 2020-21," Roberts said in a statement, according to cricket.com.au.
"We know that circumstances or events beyond our control could mean that the final schedule potentially may look different to the one released today, but we'll be doing everything we can to get as much international cricket in as possible this summer.
"We will communicate any changes to the schedule if or when they are required."
The anticipated arrival of Team India to play the Australian men’s teams across all formats is among the highlights scheduled for this summer, in which teams such as Afghanistan (for one Test), New Zealand (for ODIs and T20Is), Zimbabwe (for ODIs) and West Indies (for T20Is) will also visit down under.
On the other hand, Australia's World Cup-winning women's side are scheduled to host T20s against New Zealand as well as ODIs against both India and the White Ferns.
"We are working closely with the BCCI to deliver the eagerly anticipated men's and women's tours, and we are looking forward to staging the important series against both the men's and women's New Zealand sides," Roberts said.
"These are in addition to the scheduled men's Test against Afghanistan and a T20 series against West Indies."
Due to begin in just 73 days, Australia-Zimbabwe ODI series could be under threat due to deadly pandemic. If the series goes ahead, it would be Zimbabwe’s first tour of Australia since the 2003-04 summer.
"Final details will be confirmed in the coming weeks after consultation with relevant stakeholders," CA's statement said.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council is set to meet tonight to discuss the fate of the Men’s T20 World Cup that is slated to be held in Australia from October 18 to November 15.
AUSTRALIA’S FULL MEN'S & WOMEN'S 2020-21 INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE (Subject to change):
Men's ODI Series v Zimbabwe
First ODI: August 9, TBC
Second ODI: August 12, TBC
Third ODI: August 15, Riverway Stadium, Townsville
Women's T20 Series v New Zealand
First T20: September 27, North Sydney Oval
Second T20: September 29, North Sydney Oval
Third T20: October 1, North Sydney Oval
Men's T20 INTL Series v West Indies
First T20: October 4, Riverway Stadium, Townsville
Second T20: October 6, Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns
Third T20: October 9, Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
Women's ODI Series v New Zealand
First ODI: October 5, Riverway Stadium, Townsville
Second ODI: October 7, Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns
Third ODI: October 10, Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
Men's T20 INTL Series v India
First T20: October 11, the Gabba, Brisbane
Second T20: October 14, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Third T20: October 17, Adelaide Oval
Men's T20 World Cup
The Men's T20 World Cup is scheduled from October 18 to November 15.
Men's Test v Afghanistan
Only Test: November 21-25, Perth Stadium (day-night)
Men's Test Series v India
First Test: December 3-7, the Gabba, Brisbane
Second Test: December 11-15, Adelaide Oval (day-night)
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG
Men's ODI Series v India
First ODI: January 12, Perth Stadium
Second ODI: January 15, MCG
Third ODI: January 17, SCG
Women's ODI Series v India
First ODI: January 22, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Second ODI: January 25, Junction Oval, Melbourne
Third ODI: January 28, Blundstone Arena, Hobart
Men's ODI Series v New Zealand
First ODI: January 26, Adelaide Oval
Second ODI: January 29, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Third ODI: January 31, Blundstone Arena, Hobart
Men's T20 v New Zealand
Only T20: February 2, SCG
(Inputs from cricket.com.au)