Riverway set to host Australian ODI clash
AUSTRALIA’S international men’s cricket team will come to Townsville for the first time in the winter.
The side will play a one-day international against rising nation Zimbabwe at Riverway Stadium on August 15 as part of the new summer program revealed by Cricket Australia last night.
The match will be part of the ICC’S Future Tours Program and will conclude a three-match series that will also include games in the Top End for the first time in more than a decade.
Due to begin in just 73 days, the series may be at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic, putting a cloud over what would be the first tour of Australia by the Zimbabweans since the 2003-04 summer.
A CA statement said final details for the series would be confirmed in coming weeks.
It is not the only top-level men’s cricket the region will host with a T20 series against the exciting West Indies touching down in Townsville ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Riverway Stadium will play host to a T20 on October 4 while the side will then head north to Cairns on October 6 before a final T20 on the Gold Coast on October 9.
The Australian women’s side will also play an international fixture in Townsville as part of a similar three-match series in the regions.
Australia will host New Zealand at Riverway Stadium on October 5 before heading to Cairns.
CA chief executive officer Kevin Roberts said that it was not yet clear if crowds would be able to attend matches during the summer or if games will be played in front of empty stadiums.