Australia tour of England confirmed for September

The two sides will contest three one-day internationals and three T20Is at the Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford to round off the English summer

Australia will take on England in six white-ball matches in September, the ECB have confirmed.

The two sides will contest three one-day internationals and three T20Is at the Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford to round off the English summer.

Australia had been due to visit in July, but the Covid-19 outbreak forced the tour's postponement.

The travelling party - a squad of 21 players have been selected by Cricket Australia - will fly to the UK on August 23, and will set up camp at the Incora County Ground in Derby before relocating to Southampton at the conclusion of the final England-Pakistan Test.

A 50-over practice match and three T20 practice matches will follow at the Ageas Bowl before the T20 series gets under way on Friday, September 4.

Emirates Old Trafford will then host all three ODIs - on September 11, 13 and 16. All matches will be played behind closed doors and under the strict bio-secure protocols established at the two venues this year.

The series will count towards the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League. England currently top the standings, following their 2-1 win over Ireland earlier this month.

^{Australia will visit England in September}

The visit of Cricket Australia will reportedly save the ECB around £75million in broadcast rebates and other associated losses. The governing body is preparing to make substantial cuts, with potentially a quarter of jobs at the institution at risk, as it prepares to confirm losses of more than £100million as a result of the pandemic.

The size of the loss has been mitigated by the touring West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and now Australian senior men's sides. 

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: “We owe a significant debt of gratitude to the players, staff and administrators of Cricket Australia for their efforts in getting this tour underway. Their co-operation to ensure these matches are staged is crucial to cricket in this country. It will also provide much-needed financial aid at all levels of cricket in England and Wales as we work through the challenges in front of us.

“I want to congratulate my colleagues at the ECB and the various bio-secure venues working tirelessly in unprecedented circumstances, as we work to ensure that all England men’s international fixtures are fulfilled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In total, 18 international fixtures including six Test matches, six IT20s and six ODIs have been organised across two bio-secure venues, Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, which is testament to our efficient planning both from an operational and medical point of view. I’m very proud of what our game has achieved, and that cricket is seen as the standard-bearers in developing bio-secure sporting events to the highest of standards.”

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