Australia will gear up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in November with the Sheffield Shield tournament. Four rounds of shield games will be played, Cricket Australia announced. The domestic tourney will see the likes of big wigs like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith and others make their return after a long gap. The first game of Australia’s Test summer will be against India on November 22, kicking off the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia look towards Shield to gear up for India challenge
For the first time three years, there is no ICC World Cup event scheduled during Australia’s domestic season. This allows the entire national side to use the domestic games as preparation for what will be a hard series against India. Not to forget, Australia have now faced four consecutive Test series defeats against the Men in Blue.
Australia’s limited-overs tour of England will end on September 29. The side are then not back in action until a three-match ODI and T20I home series against Pakistan from November 4-18.
Australia all-format players, including T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh and the explosive Travis Head, could play multiple Shield matches in the early stages of the tournament beginning October 8.
India Tour of Australia Schedule 2024
Australia A v India A series
First first-class match – October 31-November 3: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
Second first-class match: November 7-10: MCG, Melbourne
India v India A intra-squad match – November 15-17: WACA Ground, Perth
India vs Australia Test series
First Test: November 22-26: Perth Stadium, Perth
Second Test: December 6-10: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Third Test: December 14-18: The Gabba, Brisbane
Fourth Test: December 26-30: MCG, Melbourne
Fifth Test: January 3-7: SCG, Sydney.
