England and Wales set to host Australia

The English Cricket Board has today announced next summer’s home international schedule which will include tours by Australia and New Zealand, and the world’s top eight One Day International teams competing in the ICC Champions Trophy.

The Ashes Test series will begin at Trent Bridge in July with Lord’s, Old Trafford, The Oval, and, for the first time, Durham ICG, also hosting Ashes Test Matches later in the summer.

Lord’s will play host to the First Test of the summer against New Zealand, with Headingley Carnegie the venue for the Second Test before the two teams meet again in three One Day Internationals and two International T20s later in the summer.

Cardiff, Edgbaston and The Oval will be the host venues for the ICC Champions Trophy which will be staged in England for the first time since 2004. Edgbaston will host the final of competition with the other two venues each hosting a semi-final.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: “The prospect of England defending the Ashes on home soil, the world’s top eight teams competing in the ICC Champions Trophy, and a full programme of 50-Over and T20 International cricket will provide rich pickings for cricket fans next summer.

“Last season’s international programme attracted a record aggregate attendance of more than 850,000 spectators and we would urge all fans to purchase their international tickets early for 2013 to avoid missing out on what promises to be a memorable summer.

“Wales has earned an outstanding reputation for its ability to deliver world-class sporting events and we are delighted that Cardiff will be used as a host venue for the ICC Champions Trophy and stage a semi-final.

“Cardiff was originally scheduled to stage next summer’s First Test match against New Zealand and following further discussions between ECB, Glamorgan CCC, and MCC, this match will now be played at Lord’s. We are grateful to both parties for their co-operation in this matter.”

Australian Ashes Tour itinerary:

Wed 26-29 June	4-day vs Somerset	Taunton
Tue 2-5 July	4-day vs Worcestershire	New Road
Wed 10-14 July	First Ashes Test	Trent Bridge
Thu 18-22 July	Second Ashes Test	Lord’s
Fri 26-28 July	3-day vs Sussex	Hove
Thu 1-5 Aug	Third Ashes Test	Old Trafford
Fri 9-13 Aug	Fourth Ashes Test	Durham
Fri 16-17 Aug	2-day vs Northamptonshire*	Northampton*
Wed 21-25 Aug	Fifth Ashes Test	The Oval, London
Thu 29 Aug	First T20 International (f)	The Rose Bowl
Sat 31 Aug	Second T20 International	Durham
Tue 3 Sept	ODI Scotland vs Australia	Citylets Grange
Fri 6 Sept	First One-Day International	Headingley
Sun 8 Sept	Second One-Day International	Old Trafford
Wed 11 Sept	Third One-Day International (D/N)	Edgbaston
Sat 14 Sept	Fourth One-Day International	Cardiff
Mon 16 Sept	Fifth One-Day International (D/N)	The Rose Bowl

*If Northamptonshire reach the English Domestic T20 Final, England Lions will host Australia at Northampton in a two-day fixture on August 16th and 17th.

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