International cricket calendar revealed: Test stars to get longer break before Ashes

Australia’s Test stars who play international white-ball cricket will receive a longer break leading into the opening Ashes Test in Perth as Cricket Australia announced the fixtures for the upcoming season.

Australia’s men will seek revenge for their Champions Trophy semi-final defeat when they square off against India in three ODIs in late October, before five T20 internationals against the reigning world champions, concluding at the Gabba on November 8.

Attention then shifts to the opening Ashes fixture against England in Perth (November 21-25), before the Gabba’s maiden day-night Test (December 4-8) and a newly branded ‘Christmas Test’ in Adelaide (December 17-21). The Ashes will conclude with traditional Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

Last year Australia rested several of their best red-ball players – including ODI captain Pat Cummins – from a series decider against Pakistan in Perth, citing travel demands and workload management before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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