Cricket Australia confirms 13-day tour to Chennai for development program as part of 2026-27 domestic schedule

Cricket Australia has released the 2026-27 men’s domestic schedule that will support an epic summer of international cricket, providing performance opportunities to players and ensuring all states host high-quality matches across the season.

Each state to host home Sheffield Shield matches at their major Test venues, with Perth Stadium to host Sheffield Shield cricket for the first time in eight years

The schedule has been designed in close alignment to the international calendar, with a day-night Sheffield Shield match at the MCG forming a key part of preparation for the 150th Anniversary Test, supported by day-night matches at Adelaide Oval and the Gabba to provide further exposure to pink-ball cricket at these venues.

In a further highlight, each state will host home Sheffield Shield matches at their major Test cricket venues throughout the season, with Perth Stadium to host Sheffield Shield cricket for the first time in eight years.

Round 5 is scheduled to conclude just 12 days ahead of the Perth Test, with four rounds of Sheffield Shield cricket to be played prior to the match, providing players with a valuable opportunity to experience conditions at the Test venue.

In the One-Day Cup competition for the Dean Jones Trophy, matches will be played across all states throughout the season, with Victoria hosting New South Wales at the Junction Oval on 25 September as their first under lights fixture on the eve of the AFL Grand Final.

Additionally, a CA XI will face Bangladesh in a three-day match at Marrara Ground from 6-8 August ahead of the Darwin Test, while a Prime Minister's XI will take on England in a pink-ball three-day match at Junction Oval from 4-6 March 2027.

Both matches provide important pathway opportunities for emerging players while supporting preparation for key international fixtures.

The men's development squad will also travel to India for a 13-day program at the MRF Academy in Chennai in August, with squads for all development programs to be announced in due course.

"We are excited to launch another domestic season, delivering an extensive schedule of cricket across the country," Cricket Australia Head of Scheduling and Domestic Cricket Peter Roach said in an official statement.

"The schedule has been designed to ensure our domestic competitions play a key role in providing performance opportunities for players and support a strong summer of international cricket. The February day-night Sheffield Shield round across the MCG, Adelaide Oval and the Gabba provides an important platform for players to develop their skills in pink-ball conditions, with its timing later in the season allowing us to take advantage of optimal conditions and build into the 150th Anniversary Test" he added.

"We're also pleased that every state will host some home Sheffield Shield matches at its major Test cricket venues this season, including the return of Sheffield Shield cricket to Perth Stadium for the first time in eight years.

"Across the season, there are also key moments for fans, including the One-Day Cup fixture in Melbourne on AFL Grand Final Eve.  We are confident that scheduling matches across a mix of major stadiums and traditional venues will again deliver high-quality experiences for players and fans alike.

"We look forward to the start of the domestic season on 18 September and thank the State and Territory Associations and the Australian Cricketers' Association for their ongoing support," Roach concluded.