By IANS,
Melbourne : For the first time since Kerry Packer revolutionised one-day cricket in 1977-78, the Australian season will not have a triangular series. Instead, the two visiting teams New Zealand and South Africa will play head-to-head series of five matches each against the hosts.
The Australians will play play five Tests in all during the 2008-09 season, two against New Zealand followed by three against South Africa.
Cricket Australia’s international calendar released Tuesday has New Zealanders playing the first Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, Nov 20-24 and the second Test at the Adelaide Oval Nov 28-Dec 2.
Against South Africa, the Australians play their first Test at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground, Perth, Dec 12-16, the second at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Dec 26-30 and the third at the Sydney Cricket Ground Jan 3-7.
Three international Twenty20 matches – two against South Africa and one against New Zealand – have also been scheduled.
The Women’s World Cup will be played in Australia and the matches will be played in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in Canberra in March.
Tour Matches:
Nov 13-16: New South Wales vs. New Zealand, Sydney
Dec 6-8: Western Australia vs. South Africa, Perth
Dec 20-22: Tasmania vs. South Africa, Hobart
Twenty20 International:
Jan 11: Australia vs. South Africa, Melbourne
Jan 13: Australia vs. South Africa, Brisbane
One-day series (Aust vs. South Africa):
Jan 16: Australia vs. South Africa, Melbourne
Jan 18: Australia vs. South Africa, Hobart
Jan 23: Australia vs. South Africa, Sydney
Jan 26: Australia vs. South Africa, Adelaide
Jan 30: Australia vs. South Africa, Perth
One-day series (Aust v New Zealand):
Feb 1: Australia vs. New Zealand, Perth
Feb 6: Australia vs. New Zealand, Melbourne
Feb 8: Australia vs. New Zealand, Sydney
Feb 10: Australia vs. New Zealand, Adelaide
Feb 13: Australia vs. New Zealand, Brisbane
Twenty20 International:
Feb 15: Australia vs. New Zealand, Sydney