As the World Cup is less than six months away, here are all the important dates for Australia’s one-day team looking to defend their title.
ODI Series vs India (January 12-18)
Australia has filed three ODIs against Virat Kohli between the domain test series against India and Sri Lanka. The series begins in Sydney on January 12, before leaving for Adelaide (January 15) and Melbourne (January 18).
The selectors have named a 14-man squad that includes the return of veterans Peter Siddle, Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon. From the established squad are the colleagues of Chris Lynn, D’Arcy Short, Travis Head and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
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This series includes the first three of the 13 Australian ODIs to play before their first World Cup match.
Limited Over Tour of India (February 24 — March 13)
After completion of the two-game domain test series against Sri Lanka, Australia will be focused on white balls until the end of the World Cup.
Their tour of India begins with two T20 internationals in front of five ODIs spread across the subcontinent. While conditions are unlikely to be similar to those awaiting Australia in the World Cup, the global Number 2 ODI team and Kohli are invaluable in competitive cricket.
ODI Series vs Pakistan (Mid March — Early April)
While the dates and venues have not yet been finalized, the five ODI series matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates follows the Australian India tour.
As in the previous series, the conditions will be significantly different from those in the UK, but the competitive standard will be just as strong. In India and Pakistan, Australia face the finalists of the 2017 Champions Trophy, which Pakistan won in England.
With the first six games of Australia against the Asian teams in the tournament, the preparation for two Asian powerhouses seems advantageous. With the series ending the World Cup team just weeks before the name of Australia, this tour is the last chance for the player to impress the selectors.
Warner, Smith Ban Lifted (March 28)
As of March 28, Steve Smith and David Warner will be re-qualified for national selection. Their 12-month suspensions, which resulted from their involvement in the conspiracy to artificially alter the state of the ball with sandpaper in the Cape Town test, will cease and they could go international as soon as the plans of the Pakistan ODI are on tour Arena return.
The last few games in the United Arab Emirates could take place after the lifting of the bans so that Smith and Warner could donate ODI gold before the World Cup.
Training Camp For World Cup (Early May)
The selected squad will be assembled in Brisbane for a training camp at the Cricket Australia Bupa National Cricket Center. At the NCC, Australians will train in state-of-the-art facilities and play practice games at the adjoining Allan Border Field.
This camp will be the last hit for the squad on home soil before heading to Europe, where the squad members involved in the Ashes campaign following the World Cup will remain for four months.
Travel To UK (Mid May)
The team is leaving for England, where they are expected to play at least two pre-season matches before their first game in Bristol. The ICC has not yet announced the warm-up matches for the tournament. In Australia there were 2015 warm-up games against India and the United Arab Emirates.
Australia’s World Cup fixtures
June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)
June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge
June 9: India v Australia, The Oval
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge
June 25: England v Australia, Lord’s
June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord’s (D/N)
July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)
July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford
July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston
July 14: Final, Lord’s
