Tantalising match-ups await in T20 Cup defence

THE fixture for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year has dropped, with home crowds to be treated to multiple mouth-watering contests in the group stages.

It is the rescheduled tournament from two years ago as COVID-19 took hold in Australia and will be the first international cricket tournament played in the country since the 2015 ODI World Cup.

Australia are the defending champions in the tournament having claimed victory in the United Arab of Emirates late last year and will kick off their title defence with a rematch of the final against New Zealand.

The Aussies have been grouped with England, New Zealand and Afghanistan, with two more qualifying teams to be added after the first round of the tournament.

The second group consists of India, Pakistan, South Africa and Bangladesh, plus the additional two sides.

Australia will kick off against the Kiwis at the SCG on 22 October, before going to Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide in that order.

India and Pakistan will meet at the MCG on 23 October in what is sure to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament, while tickets to Australia vs England at the same venue will also be hot property on 28 October.

The semi-finals will be played at the SCG and Adelaide Oval, while the MCG is locked in to host the final on 13 November.

The tournament begins on 16 October.

 

– BY SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN