Ageing Aussies face insane three-month Test schedule as Gabba dumped
Australia's ageing Test cricket team will be forced to play four matches in the space of 31 days as part of a packed 2026-27 schedule announced on Monday morning.
The team will face New Zealand in a four-Test series to be played in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney from December 9 to January 8.
Brisbane's the Gabba has been dumped from the Test schedule.
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The Aussies will then fly to India following the SCG match in January for a five-Test tour, before returning home for the anniversary Test against England from March 11.
It means the likes of veteran bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins may have to play nine Tests in the space of about three months.
Australian captain Pat Cummins. Getty
Before all that, Australia will host Bangladesh for two Tests in Darwin and Mackay in August.
The Aussies also have an eight-game white-ball series against England in November.
"We're delighted to release an international schedule that ensures fans across Australia will see our brilliant national teams play over eight months at many fantastic venues across the country," Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg said in a press release on Monday.
"Our rivalry with the Kiwis has always been hard fought and produced many memorable moments and the men's Test series and women's white-ball series will be no exception."
The Aussie women's team faces Bangladesh and then New Zealand in white-ball series over the summer.
