Cricket Australia's release of the full 2010-11 international program today has revealed that Australia and Sri Lanka will clash in a KFC Twenty20 International at the WACA Ground on Sunday 31 October 2010, beginning three and a half months of exciting action.

 

The summer will close in Perth on Sunday 6 February 2011 when Australia meets England in the seventh and final Commonwealth Bank Series one-day international.

 

Sandwiched in between is the third 3 mobile Ashes Test, which will be staged at the WACA Ground from Thursday 16 to Monday 20 December 2010.

 

The Sri Lankans will play the KFC Twenty20 International and three Commonwealth Bank Series one-day internationals against Australia, before England arrive for the five-Test 3 mobile Ashes Series, followed by two KFC Twenty20 Internationals and a seven-match Commonwealth Bank Series against the host nation.

 

It will be the second time that the WACA Ground has hosted a KFC Twenty20 International after Australia played New Zealand in Perth on 11 December 2007 – a match made famous for the debut of Retravision Warriors batsman Luke Pomersbach, who was plucked from the crowd to replace Brad Hodge 90 minutes prior to the start of the game.

 

Australia will be hoping to emulate the feats of the past two Ashes series held in this country, in 2002-03 and 2006-07, when they clinched the prized urn at the WACA Ground on both occasions.

 

The third Ashes Test also signals the return of ‘Cricket City Perth', the extremely popular Festival of Cricket that was a feature of the last 3 mobile Ashes Test held in Perth in December 2006. The WACA, with support from EventsCorp, turned the Western Australian capital into a hive of cricket activities for 11 days with events that gave everyone the chance to be involved in the Ashes excitement.

 

England return to Perth six weeks later to play their first one-day international against Australia at the WACA Ground since 1990-91 in what will be the final hit-out for both teams prior to departing for the 2011 ICC World Cup, which begins in the subcontinent 13 days later.

 

WACA Chief Executive Officer Graeme Wood says there is something for all cricket fans in next summer's program.

 

“Whether you are the purist who loves Test cricket, a fan of the 50-over game, or enjoy the crash and bash style of Twenty20, hosting three international fixtures across all formats is a real bonus for the WA public,” Wood said.

 

“It promises to be a memorable summer of cricket and we are delighted that the WACA Ground will be the bookend of a season featuring two very proud and strong cricket nations in Sri Lanka and England.

 

“Sri Lanka will pose a tough challenge to Australia, who are yet to lose a Twenty20 International on home soil, and we are certain that the fans will flock to this match in the same manner as they flooded the WACA Ground for the Retravision Warriors' recent KFC Twenty20 Big Bash matches.

 

“The WACA Ground was the scene of one of Australian cricket's greatest triumphs when the Ashes were regained in Perth back in 2006, and hopefully history will repeat itself when we host the third 3 mobile Ashes Test later in the year.

 

“We are also looking forward to Australia and England meeting in a Commonwealth Bank Series one-day international for the first time in two decades and it shapes as a thrilling encounter as both teams put the finishing touches on their preparations for the 2011 ICC World Cup.

 

"We are grateful that Cricket Australia has once again scheduled the WACA Test Match in mid-December and the Commonwealth Bank Series in the early-February period as the WACA has been determined to cement those dates for our international matches.”

 

Cricket Australia also announced the full tour match program, with England to begin their tour of Australia in Perth with a three-day game against the Retravision Warriors at the WACA Ground from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 November 2010.

 

Australian cricket fans are encouraged to register as an Australian Cricket Family (ACF) member to be kept up to date on all the latest cricket news and information, including Ashes updates and tickets on sale announcements. Fans can register to become an ACF member at: http://www.cricket.com.au/acf.

 

Australian Cricket Family: Wednesday 14 July 2010
General Public: Tuesday 20 July 2010

 

Sunday 31 October 2010 – KFC Twenty20 International, Australia v Sri Lanka

Friday 5 to Sunday 7 November 2010 – Tour Match, Retravision Warriors v England

Thursday 16 December to Monday 20 December 2010 – 3 mobile Ashes Test Match, Australia v England

Sunday 6 February 2011 – Commonwealth Bank Series, Australia v England