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The summer of cricket is on its way
In the midst of a thrilling Ashes series, currently tied at 1-1, we look ahead to the upcoming summer of cricket.
After a trying year, Australians are back in love with cricket, with the Ashes and Steve Smith the perfect catalysts.
Steve Smith is back and has rightfully regained his position as the world’s best Test batsman. The Ashes have been thoroughly entertaining thus far, keeping us awake until all hours.
Now, we can’t wait for the summer Down Under to begin.
Sitting level at 1-1 as we begin the fourth test of the series, Steve Smith (and his understudy Marnus Labuschagne) is the talk of the town and has given Australian cricket hope again.
It’s fair to say the Australian cricket team fell out of favour with the Aussie public over the past year, but this series has well and truly reignited their passion.
After knocking a double-ton on day two of the fourth test, Smith currently averages 147 in this series. He is back where he belongs at the top, and England seemingly have no answers.
Labuschagne himself is averaging 70 this series, after being afforded the chance to once again prove his wares due to Smith’s concussion in the second test.
Cementing his position in the Australian batting lineup in style, Labuschagne has only aided getting the Aussie public back onside.
What a combo. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have been the heroes of Australia’s Ashes campaign thus far.
Summer of cricket
While the Ashes are still up for grabs with everything to play for, let’s look ahead to what is coming up in the summer of cricket.
Our friends across the ditch in New Zealand will be returning to our shores for a three-test series for the first time in several years. It all begins in Perth at the stunning, brand-new Perth Stadium from Thursday 12 until Monday 16 December.
The series-opener will also play host to the first day-night test in the city, a fantastic coup given the incredible lighting set-up we have become accustomed to at the Stadium.
The 15,000 LED lighting system at Perth Stadium is the biggest in the world, while inside the stadium sit two 340sqm super screens, a state-of-the-art sound system, coupled with the halo roof showcasing a phenomenal sporting lights display.
The Stadium hosted its first Test last December to huge success.
How good will this place look come the day-night test?
Given the addition of a day-night test, the full contingent of players back from suspension, and the public back in love with cricket, the match is likely to attract over 100,000 fans across the five days.
As a precursor to the Test match spectacle, the Perth venue will also host an International T20 clash against Pakistan on Friday 8 November, the final clash of a three-match series.
The first taste of cricket in the west for the summer, our boys will face the current number 1 ranked T20 side. Bringing out the best in T20 cricket presents a fantastic opportunity for a seriously entertaining display of short-form cricket before the BBL kicks off in December.
It also provides a fantastic test for Australia to prepare and prove themselves before the T20 World Cup in 2020.
While you stay awake each night following the Ashes with excitement, grab your tickets to the summer of cricket as our Aussies prepare to head to Perth Stadium this November and December. Tickets from Ticketmaster.com.au.
