Dates revealed for Canberra Test between Australia and Sri Lanka
source; Sydney Morning Herald
Canberra’s historic cricket fixture is set to avoid a nightmare timeslot clash with the Australian Open tennis tournament when the capital hosts Australia’s first February Test match in 21 years.
Fairfax Media can reveal Cricket Australia is poised to announced the dates for the summer of cricket as early as Friday, with officials putting the finishing touches on the schedule.
Andrew Barr with Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon before a one-day international in Canberra.Photo: Elesa Kurtz
It’s understood Canberra will likely take centre stage from January 31-February 4 when Australia plays against Sri Lanka in a perfectly timed match for new broadcaster Channel Seven.
It will be the first time Australia has played a home Test so late in the summer since 1998 and is a bonus for Cricket Australia’s $1.2 billion broadcast deal with Channel Seven and Fox Sports.
Channel Seven has the rights to the Australian Open for one more year and the extended summer of Tests has caused a schedule headache for officials.
