Australia hoping for 'full crowds' for Ashes series
The HinduCricket Australia is hoping for packed stadiums for this year's Ashes series even if England's "Barmy Army" of travelling fans are unlikely to get into the country, interim chief executive Nick Hockley said on Wednesday. The schedule for Australia's 2021-22 home season was confirmed on Wednesday with a maiden Test against Afghanistan in November starting proceedings before five Ashes contests over five weeks around the New Year. The Ashes series will open at the Gabba in Brisbane on December 8 before moving on to a day-night clash at Adelaide Oval followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and New Year's match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia will also play three one-dayers and a Twenty20 match against New Zealand in late January and early February followed by five 20-over matches against Sri Lanka to round out the 2020-21 home season.