Cricket Aust confirm ODI, Test changes

It’s far from perfect.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland was the first to admit it after brokering an unprecedented rescheduling of the four-Test series against India.

But as CA confirmed the final changes to the international season on Tuesday, Sutherland hoped fans would see the big picture.

“These are tragic and extraordinary circumstances,” he said, en route to Phillip Hughes’ funeral in Macksville.

Adelaide Oval will now host the first Test instead of the Gabba, with the game to start next Tuesday.

The second Test will be played in Brisbane on December 17-21.

The traditional Boxing Day clash in Melbourne will remain unchanged, while the SCG Test will now start on January 6.

The one-day tri-series was largely untouched, although two games were swapped to give India a longer break after the fourth Test.

Australia will now face England on January 16 at the SCG, instead of January 18.

India’s MCG clash with Australia has been switched from January 16 to January 18.

The next round of the Sheffield Shield season, due to start on Friday, will instead begin next Tuesday to allow state players time to grieve.

The Big Bash League season has also been impacted, however CA is yet to finalise the tweaks.

“The schedule will inconvenience a lot of people, we understand that,” Sutherland said.

“Normally a program takes about 12 months to work through, I think last year we had 72 drafts.

“There’s nothing perfect with what we’ve come up with.

“But we appreciate everyone’s support and understanding in these tragic and extraordinary circumstances.”

Australian Cricketers’ Association boss Alistair Nicholson noted discussions with players and health experts made it clear the first Test could not start this week.

“We’ve all witnessed the extent to which this event has rocked people who’ve never met Phillip to have some concept of how hard it is for those close to him,” Nicholson said.

CA is planning a series of extensive tributes for the first Test, at Hughes’ adopted home ground.

“We hope the match can be a seen as a celebration of his life,” Sutherland said.

Pre-purchased tickets will be honoured for the revised Tests and one-day internationals, but full refunds are available.

Qantas and Virgin Australia will waive the change fee for any fans wanting to rebook associated flights.

CA is also seeking flexibility from hotels.

As a handful of fans grumbled on Twitter about being inconvenienced or out of pocket, one of Hughes’ teammates at the Adelaide Strikers responded succinctly.

“Seeing people complain about the rescheduling of the 1st test and that it’s cost them money is a disgrace. It’s not been done to spite you,” Theo Doropoulos posted.

AUSTRALIA’S FOUR-TEST SERIES AGAINST INDIA

NEW DATES:

* Adelaide Oval: December 9-13

* Gabba: December 17-21

* MCG: December 26-30

* SCG: January 6-10

OLD DATES:

* Gabba: December 4-8

* Adelaide Oval: December 12-16

* MCG: December 26-30

* SCG: January 3-7/

ONE-DAY GAMES

NEW DATES:

*Manuka Oval, England v ACT XI: January 12

*SCG, Australia v England: January 16

*MCG, Australia v India: January 18

*Tour match involving India TBC

OLD DATES:

*Drummoyne Oval, England v India: January 12

*MCG, Australia v India: January 16

*SCG, Australia v England: January 18

SHEFFIELD SHIELD (all games to run December 9-12 instead of December 5-8)

*Bellerive, Tasmania v SA

*SCG, NSW v Queensland

*WACA, WA v Victoria

BIG BASH LEAGUE

TBC.

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