Victoria鈥檚 biggest season of international cricket ever

The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final and the Boxing Day Test will be the showpieces of the biggest season of cricket seen in this state.

The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final and the Boxing Day Test will be the showpieces of the biggest season of cricket seen in this state.

The MCG will play host to seven one-day internationals, the Boxing Day Test against India and two Twenty20 internationals from November to March.

Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide said Victorians will be treated to a memorable season with at least seven nations competing at the MCG.

“It shapes as the biggest ever summer of cricket in this state with plenty of opportunities for Victorians to see the world’s best cricketers featuring prominently at the MCG,” Dodemaide said.

“The Victorian public is renowned for turning out in their droves and I’m sure this occasion will prove no different.

“With the Boxing Day Test, the opening World Cup fixture between Australia and England and the World Cup Final at the MCG we could well see last year’s world record attendance of 91,112 broken once again.”

The international program begins on November 7 with a T20 double header with the Southern Stars taking on the West Indies then Australia’s men’s side clashing with South Africa.

The Proteas will then return for their first one-day international at the MCG since 2002 two weeks later.

The home of cricket will welcome India for the Boxing Day Test and a one-dayer on January 16, before the World Cup launches on February 14 with an Australia V England opening fixture that looms likely to break the record for the largest ODI crowd at the MCG of 87,182 set at the 1992 World Cup Final.

Melbourne’s large Indian population will create a vibrant atmosphere at the South Africa V India clash on February 22 with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to meet four days later.

The MCG will also host a quarter final on March 19 before the pinnacle of the sport, the World Cup Final, will round out the season on March 29.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the MCG will have something for all fans:

“The MCG will host the two marquee matches of the summer, the traditional Commonwealth Bank Boxing Day Test, this year against India, and the ICC Cricket World Cup Final.

“We know India has some of the most passionate fans in the world and we encourage them to get along and support their team along with Australian fans in what is sure to be an exciting Commonwealth Bank Test Series.

“Fans will also have the chance to see our dual world champion Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars at the MCG when they take on the West Indies in a Twenty20 International double header on November 7.”

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers will be looking to make amends for a disappointing 2013-14 season when they start their campaign with the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup (formerly RYOBI One-Day Cup) on October 4 against defending champions Queensland at the Gabba.

The Bushrangers will play seven qualifying matches at the Gabba, Allan Border Field, North Sydney Oval and Drummoyne.

Victoria will begin the Bupa Sheffield Shield on October 31 with a home match at the MCG against traditional rival New South Wales.

The Bushrangers will play their last home match before the KFC T20 Big Bash League commences against Western Australia at the home of cricket with the venue of Victoria’s remaining home fixtures, on February 24, March 5 and March 13, to be determined closer to the season.

MCG international schedule
November 7: Southern Stars V West Indies – T20I
November 7: Australia V South Africa – T20I
November 21: Australia V South Africa – ODI
December 26 to 30: Australia V India – Test
January 16: Australia V India – ODI
February 14: Australia V England – World Cup ODI
February 22: South Africa V India – World Cup ODI
February 26: Sri Lanka V Bangladesh – World Cup ODI
March 19: TBC V TBC – World Cup Quarter Final ODI
March 29: TBC V TBC – World Cup Final ODI

Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Matador BBQs One-Day Cup Schedule
October 4: Queensland V Victoria @ Gabba (D/N)
October 6: Victoria V South Australia @ Gabba (D/N)*
October 8: Tasmania V Victoria @ Allan Border Field
October 12: Victoria V New South Wales @ North Sydney Oval *
October 14: Queensland V Victoria @ North Sydney Oval *
October 17: Victoria V New South Wales @ Drummoyne Oval (D/N)*
October 19: Victoria V Western Australia @ Drummoyne Oval (D/N)*
*Live coverage on GEM

Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Bupa Sheffield Shield Schedule
October 31 to November 3: Victoria V New South Wales @ MCG
November 8 to 11: Tasmania V Victoria @ Blundstone Arena (D/N)
November 16 to 19: South Australia V Victoria @ Adelaide Oval
November 25 to 28: Victoria V Western Australia @ MCG
December 5 to 8: Western Australia V Victoria @ WACA
February 7 to 10: Queensland V Victoria @ Gabba
February 16 to 19: New South Wales V Victoria @ TBC
February 24 to 27: Victoria V Queensland @ TBC
March 5 to 8: Victoria V South Australia @ TBC
March 13 to 16: Victoria V Tasmania @ TBC