Australia-Sri Lanka T20I to be played in Geelong

International cricket will be played in Geelong for the first time, with the Victorian port city set to host a Twenty20 match between Australia and Sri Lanka in February 2017.


Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Monday (August 8), the venues for the three-match T20I series, with games to be staged at the MCG on February 17 before the action heads to Kardinya Park in Geelong (February 19) and the Adelaide Oval (February 22).

All three games will be double-headers with the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, who will take on New Zealand.

"We're committed to taking the game to as many parts of the country as possible and we continue to work with regional areas around Australia on how we can make this happen," James Sutherland, CA chief executive, said on Monday. "Geelong proved its capability to host cricket last summer with a successful BBL exhibition match between the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades attracting more than 10,000 people.

"We're really looking forward to the people of the Geelong region and beyond, packing out the stadium and supporting the women's and men's national sides," he added.

Kardinia Park, the 11th venue in Australia currently accredited to host international cricket, played host to a Big Bash League warm-up match between the Melbourne Renegades and Stars, and a two-day warm-up match between Victoria and West Indies last summer.

Meanwhile, CA also announced the Adelaide Oval would continue to host an international match on Australia Day for the next five years. "We've been working closely with the South Australian Government and SACA to secure marquee matches in the state long term and we'd like to thank both parties for their support," Sutherland said.

Twenty20 Series Australia v Sri Lanka

17 February: MCG, Melbourne

19 February: Kardinia Park, Geelong

22 February: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide