Ashes at dusk: Adelaide to host day-night Test against England
Adelaide Oval’s sunset vista will again be showcased to the world when the venue hosts the first ever day-night Ashes Test, after Cricket Australia and the England Cricket Board today confirmed the 2017-18 schedule.
Revellers on the hill at the day night Test against South Africa. Photo: Tony Lewis / InDaily
The yet-to-be-completed 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium is a chance to host the third Test instead of the WACA, but the most notable part of the schedule is the confirmation of the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval.
South Australia has already hosted two successful pink-ball Tests – with the hosts winning both, against New Zealand and South Africa.
SACA Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw said the fixture was “hugely exciting for South Australia”.
“Cricket fans have shown how much they love this format and we expect sell-out crowds for the first Ashes day-night Test,” he said in a statement.
“Fans have voted with their feet the past two summers. The day-night Test in Adelaide is now the go-to destination for cricket fans worldwide.”
He said expected heavy ticket sales from interstate and overseas “will drive South Australian tourism and create jobs”.
Australia will also host England on the Australia Day one-dayer.
“With Australia Day also locked in at Adelaide Oval long-term, it is exciting to see another ODI on the public holiday and we expect a packed Adelaide Oval when Australia host England,” Bradshaw said.
The Gabba will host the first Test starting on November 23, having lost the summer opener this year against South Africa.
The traditional Boxing Day Test at the MCG and New Year’s match at the SCG has also been confirmed.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said moving the Perth Test back to mid-December will offer the best chance for construction of Perth Stadium to be finished.
“The decision to start the international season in Brisbane, then moving to Adelaide, allows us to give Perth Stadium the best chance to host the Test match,” Sutherland said in a statement.
“So we can welcome an even bigger crowd to Perth next summer.”
Sutherland said that given the later-than-usual start to the series, the schedule will allow for at least three Sheffield Shield matches to be played before the Brisbane opener.
England will get their first taste of pink-ball cricket against the West Indies at Edgbaston in August.
“We know how much Adelaide fans love this style of Test cricket,” said Sutherland.
“We’re expecting a full house next year in what is sure to be a great contest.”
2017-18 ASHES SERIES
First Test: Gabba – 23-27 November 2017
Second Test: Adelaide Oval (Day-Night) – 2-6 December 2017
Third Test: Perth (venue TBC) – 14-18 December 2017
Fourth Test: MCG – 26-30 December 2017
Fifth Test: SCG – 4-8 January 2018
-with AAP
