Australia home schedule for 2011-12

SYDNEY: Australia face a tough home schedule over the coming summer with six Test matches and a one-day tri-series with India and Sri Lanka.

Cricket Australia said on Tuesday there would be 47 days of action with Test matches against New Zealand and India, at least 14 one-dayers and two Twenty20 clashes.

While most games are at traditional venues, Sydney Olympic Park will host its first ever cricket international when Australia take on India in a Twenty20 night game on February 1.

"Fans will certainly have plenty of variety this summer," said Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland.

"ICC Cricket World Cup winner India is also the number one-ranked Test team in the world at the moment, while Sri Lanka has been in great form as we saw in the World Cup.

"We know New Zealand is always a formidable opponent that thrives when playing Australia."

The Test series will visit every state capital city, starting in early December with the Aussies taking on the Black Caps in two Tests for the Trans-Tasman Trophy in Brisbane and Hobart.

India then arrive before Christmas to play four Tests, starting with the traditional Boxing Day match in Melbourne, before heading to Sydney then Perth and finally Adelaide.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011