Cricket Australia announces India A vs Australia A series ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Published - 28 May 2024, 10:45 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:54 PM
Cricket Australia (CA) has announced two first-class matches in preparation for the highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and Australia. The two first-class matches between India A and Australia A will provide an opportunity for players from both teams ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
The first match will be held at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from October 31 to November 3. The second game will be held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7 to 10. The visitors will play an intra-squad practice game at the WACA between November 15 and 17, before the first Test.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will be contested over five Test matches for the first time in over 30 years. The Australian cricket team has failed to secure a Test series win against the Indian cricket team since 2017. Australia lost the last four series by 2-1, including two series at home in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Will Provide Great Opportunities To Players - Peter Roach
Cricket Australia confirmed that both A matches will have first-class status. Peter Roach, CA's Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling, highlighted the significance of hosting the A matches, providing valuable opportunities for players to stake their claim for selection.
"Australia A will take on India A as a prelude to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy this summer as the two top-ranked Test nations prepare for their hugely anticipated showdown," a CA statement on Twitter (now X) read.
The rivalry continues to grow 💪
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"To have that running simultaneously with the women's ODIs and preceded by two significant Australia A v India A matches will be terrific for our fans. Hosting those A matches at the upgraded Great Barrier Reef Arena and the MCG give these 'A' matches significant status and will provide great opportunities to players from both sides to put up their hand for selection," said Peter Roach.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| First Australia A v India A match | October 31-November 3 | Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay |
| Second Australia A v India A match | November 7-10 | MCG, Melbourne |
| India v India A intra-squad match | November 15-17 | WACA Ground, Perth |
Australia may face scheduling challenges with their A matches overlapping with ODIs and T20Is against Pakistan. The selectors must decide on the available players for the A side from white-ball teams and Sheffield Shield fixtures. Test players are unlikely to feature in the T20Is in preparation for the India series.
The India women's team will tour Australia for three ODIs in early December. These matches between the India women's team and the Australian women's team will be scheduled around the second men's test in Adelaide.
India is set to tour Australia for a Test series after a four-year gap. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will kick off in Perth on November 22, with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7. Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne will host the other matches in the five-match Test series.
