The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today announced changes to the international program for the 2002-03 season between Australia, England and Sri Lanka.
The first of the changes will see the venues for the Second and Third Ashes Test matches between Australia and England swapped.
The Second Test, originally scheduled to take place in Perth, will now take place at the Adelaide Oval (21-25 November), while the Third Test, which was to be held in Adelaide, will now be staged in Perth (29 November – 3 December).
ACB Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the change in venue for the Test matches was at the request of host telecaster, the Nine Network.
"The Nine Network made a formal submission to the Board to change the fixture, and after consulting with all relevant stakeholders, including the Western Australian Cricket Association, South Australian Cricket Association and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), we have met the request," Mr Sutherland said.
Other changes to the season's program involve three of Australia A's five matches. The matches will now be played on the following dates:
Mr Sutherland said the changes to the schedule would allow for all of Australia A's fixtures to be televised by the Nine Network.
"The Australia A program has been a popular feature of the Australian cricket season since its inception in 1994-95," Mr Sutherland said.
"With the support of the ECB and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) these changes now mean that the Nine Network can televise the Australia A component of the season," he said.
Australia A plays a total of four limited-overs matches and one three-day game.
The international season begins on 22 October 2002, with the traditional ACB Chairman's XI game in Perth.
The First Test between Australia and England starts in Brisbane on 7 November 2002. England also plays the Prime Minister's XI on 10 December 2002 and a Bradman XI at Bowral, New South Wales, on 8 January 2003.
Sri Lanka joins England and Australia for the 2002-03 VB Series, arriving in Australia on 11 December 2002 to play a tour match against Australia A in Brisbane on 14 December 2002. Sri Lanka's VB Series campaign starts three days later against England at The Gabba.
© 2002 Australian Cricket Board
Teams | Australia. |
First Class Teams | New South Wales. |
Players/Umpires | James Sutherland. |
Tours | England in Australia Sri Lanka in Australia |
Grounds | W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth Adelaide Oval |
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