Australia's Busy Cricket Summer: 4 Tests in 31 Days

0:00It's March 22nd. You're listening to Sydney News today, AI-powered local news. Cricket Australia has unveiled its full international schedule for the 2026 to 2027 home summer, running from August right, through to March. The standout is the men's team facing New Zealand, and four test matches squeezed into just 31 days, making it one of the tightest series ever. The season opens with two tests against Bangladesh and Darwin from August 13th to 17th, and Mekai from August 22nd to 26th. England follows with three one-day internationals and five 2020 matches in November across Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, the Gold, Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra. This pack line up comes amid Australia's busiest 12 months, with up to 21 tests from this August to next July. Officials note the strain on fast bowlers, forcing the New Zealand series to start on a Wednesday, December 9th, in Perth, with no warm-up for the high.

1:01Visitors and gaps as short as four days between games. On the women's side, there's no test for the first time since the pandemic. Instead, they host Bangladesh for three one-day internationals and three 2020 matches in October at smaller venues like Allen Borderfield and North Sydney Oval. New Zealand follows in February and March with similar white ball series at places like Manuka Oval and Junction Oval. The summer wraps with a special day night 150th anniversary test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from March 11th to 15th. Starting off, we're promises to be a grueling yet exciting campaign down under.