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Uncertainty remains over the scheduling of India's tour of Australia later this year with an apparent sticking point revolving around the day-night Test in Adelaide.
The pink ball Test has become a showpiece of the Australian summer since the inaugural fixture in November 2015, marked by record crowds and strong television ratings. History was made last summer with the first Ashes day-night Test and Cricket Australia (CA) had hoped for another bumper fixture when India tour later this year.
The unveiling of Australia's 2018-19 season was expected in February but delayed due to the sticking point over the proposed day-night fixture in Adelaide, according to sources. An announcement could be further delayed due to CA being consumed with the fallout of the ball tampering scandal, while the governing body also continues to negotiate over a new broadcast rights deal. Australia's 2017-18 season was unveiled in December 2016.
"We are currently finalising the detail of these tours with respective member boards," a CA spokesperson told Cricbuzz in regards to the 2018-19 season. "Scheduling of any sport has its complexities, with a number of parties that need to be consulted throughout the process."
India are the only major Test country not to have played a day-night Test match, whereas Australia has won all four of their pink ball games. Understandably, the No.1 ranked India have an apparent reservation to play the day-night fixture in what looms as a crucial series for them. It is doubtful they would get sufficient practice under the conditions amid a tight calendar.
However, there is a possibility India could play their first day-night Test in October against the West Indies at home.
As reported by Cricbuzz in January, the new Perth Stadium is set to launch the Test summer in early December after the ground's successful unveiling during an ODI between Australia and England earlier this year followed by a Big Bash League semi-final just days later.
The highly anticipated series will then move to Adelaide before concluding with the showpiece Boxing Day and New Year's Tests in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. Australia will be severely weakened without suspended former leaders Steve Smith and David Warner - along with opener Cameron Bancroft - as India eye a historic first Test series victory Down Under.
Sri Lanka will follow with a two-Test series starting mid-January, which includes a fixture at the Gabba and the inaugural Test in Canberra, with Hobart missing out. A limited-overs series featuring South Africa is expected to start the summer in October-November.
(CRICBUZZ)
