Carrara Stadium to host Australia-India pink-ball Test; ODIs, T20Is moved to Gold Coast

The pink-ball Test between Australia and India has been moved from the WACA in Perth to the Carrara Stadium in Gold Coast, Queensland while the ODI series, which were to start at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney before moving to Junction Oval in Melbourne, will be held in Mackay in Queensland, the Times of India reported on Sunday (August 29). The tour, which was to commence from September 19 with the ODIs will now start on September 21, with the warm-up clash to be played on September 18, ESPNcricinfo reported.



Although there is no official confirmation from the Cricket Australia, who are waiting for the Queensland Government approval, the continuous COVID-19 related restrictions in the state of New South Wales and Victoria have forced the venue changes for India’s upcoming multi-format tour of Australia. The T20Is will also be played in Gold Coast, instead of Sydney. The Allan Border Field in Brisbane, that plays host to most of Australia's games in Brisbane, is unavailable due to the redevelopment work till next year.



India are set to play three ODIs and three T20Is Down Under, between which, their first-ever day/night Test match is scheduled.



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The Indian contingent of 22 players and the support staff is scheduled to depart for Australia via Dubai on August 29. Upon arrival in Australia, the team will undergo a 14-days strict quarantine mandated by the Australian government. After the end of the quarantine on September 13, India is expected to play a 50-over warm-up clash Brisbane on September 18.



Australia, on the other hand, have not played any competitive cricket since the tour of New Zealand in April. The team has not been able to regroup ahead of the series because of the statewide restrictions in NSW and Victoria.  Australian players who are not currently in Queensland are expected to start arriving next week. The only member of the squad who was part of The Hundred, Georgia Redmayne, is currently in quarantine in Brisbane.