Alright, footy fans, let’s be honest—when the footy season wraps up and the winter chill sets in, there’s only one thing that keeps us going: Test cricket. Whether you’re a die-hard who’s been following the Baggy Greens for years, or a newer fan trying to figure out why everyone gets so worked up about a five-day game, knowing the Australian Test cricket schedule is your ticket to planning your year.

This isn’t just a list of dates. This is your practical, step-by-step guide to navigating the upcoming Test series, tours, and key matches—so you never miss a ball, a beer, or a backyard cricket debate. By the end of this, you’ll know exactly how to track the schedule, plan your viewing (or attending), and stay ahead of the game like a seasoned selector.

Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before we dive into the step-by-step, here’s what you’ll want handy:

A calendar – digital or physical, your call. Google Calendar, a wall planner, or even the back of an envelope works.
Access to official sources – the Cricket Australia website (cricket.com.au) or the CA app are your best mates here.
A streaming service or TV guide – Kayo Sports, Foxtel, or Channel 7 for free-to-air Tests. Check what’s available in your area.
A notepad or notes app – for jotting down key series, venues, and dates as we go.
A bit of patience – schedules shift, especially with weather, so flexibility is key.

Got all that? Good. Let’s walk through it.

Step 1: Understand the Test Cricket Calendar Year

The first thing to wrap your head around is that the Australian Test cricket schedule doesn’t run on a neat January-to-December cycle. It’s a bit like the footy season—there’s a summer block and a winter block, but with international tours and the Ashes thrown in.

Here’s the big picture:

Summer (October to March): This is prime time for Test cricket in Australia. The Sheffield Shield runs alongside international Tests, and you’ll see major series and tours packed into this window.
Winter (April to September): This is when the Aussie men’s and women’s teams head overseas for tours—think England, India, or shorter tours to Sri Lanka, South Africa, or the West Indies.

The key takeaway? Summer is home games, winter is away tours. That’s your mental framework.

Pro tip: White-ball tournaments and other events can sometimes shift Test dates, so keep an eye on those too. The Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League also run during summer, so there’s a lot of cricket on—plan accordingly.

Step 2: Track the Major Test Series First

Not all Test series are created equal. Some are blockbusters that demand your full attention. Others are quieter tours. Here’s how to prioritise:

The Ashes

This is the big one. The Ashes series between Australia and England is the oldest rivalry in cricket. When it’s in Australia, you’re looking at Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground, and other iconic venues. When it’s in England, you’ll need to adjust for time zones.

What to do: Mark the entire Ashes series in your calendar as soon as dates are announced. These are non-negotiable.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Border-Gavaskar series between Australia and India is the modern-day heavyweight clash. With legends on both sides, this is box office.

What to do: Treat this like a grand final series. Block out the dates, and if you can, plan a trip to a major venue for a day of live action.

Other Test Series

Then you’ve got series against South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Bangladesh. These might not have the same hype, but they’re crucial for World Test Championship points and for seeing emerging talent.

What to do: Add these to your calendar but with a lower priority. You can catch the highlights if you’re busy.

Step 3: Find the Official Schedule on Cricket Australia’s Website

This is where the rubber meets the road. Don’t rely on social media rumours or random blogs. Go straight to the source.

Open your browser and head to cricket.com.au.
Look for the “Fixtures” or “Schedule” tab at the top of the page.
Filter by “Men’s” or “Women’s” and then “Test” to see only the longer format matches.
You’ll see a list of upcoming series with dates, venues, and times.

Pro tip: The Cricket Australia app sends push notifications for schedule changes, team announcements, and results. Download it and turn on alerts for the Test series you care about.

Common mistake: Forgetting that time zones change for away tours. If the Aussies are playing overseas, a local start time can mean a different time here. Double-check before you set your alarm.

Step 4: Plan Your Viewing or Attendance Around Key Venues

If you’re lucky enough to attend a Test match in person, you need to know the venues. Here’s the rundown on Australia’s major Test grounds:

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): The spiritual home of Australian cricket. The Boxing Day Test is a tradition—expect large crowds on Day 1.
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG): The New Year’s Test. Beautiful ground, great atmosphere, and usually a bit of spin on the pitch.
WACA Ground (Perth): Known for pace and bounce. The WACA has hosted some absolute crackers, though it’s been less frequent lately as Optus Stadium takes over.
Gabba (Brisbane): A famous fortress for the home side.
Adelaide Oval: Day-night Tests with the pink ball are a spectacle here. The atmosphere is electric.

For away tours: You’ll be watching from home, but knowing the venue helps you understand conditions. Lord’s in London? Expect swing and seam. The Wankhede in Mumbai? Spin paradise.

What to do: For home Tests, check the venue’s website for ticket sales. They often go on sale months in advance, and popular matches sell out fast.

Step 5: Align Your Schedule with the Sheffield Shield

The Sheffield Shield is the domestic first-class competition that feeds into the Test team. If you want to see future stars before they’re household names, watch the Shield.

Here’s the link: The Sheffield Shield runs through the summer, often overlapping with international Tests. Players use Shield games to find form before Test series.

What to do: Follow the Shield ladder and key matches. If a young gun is tearing it up, you’ll know they’re in contention for a Test call-up. The Cricket Australia website has a dedicated Shield section.

Pro tip: Shield games are often streamed on the CA app or Kayo. They’re a great way to spend a quiet weekend.

Step 6: Factor in the Women’s Test Schedule

Don’t sleep on the women’s Test matches. The Australian women’s team has been dominant, and their Test series—like the Women’s Ashes or tours to England and India—are high-quality contests.

The schedule for women’s Tests is shorter (usually one or two Tests per series), but they’re often played alongside men’s tours or during the summer.

What to do: Check the women’s fixtures on the CA website. The Women’s Big Bash League runs in summer, but Test matches are separate. Add them to your calendar—they’re worth every minute.

Step 7: Set Reminders for Ticket Sales and Broadcasts

This is where you turn your plan into action. Here’s a simple system:

For home Tests: When the schedule drops, set a reminder for ticket sales. Most venues announce dates via email or social media. Sign up for venue mailing lists.
For away Tests: Set a reminder for the first ball of each Test. Use your phone’s alarm or a calendar event with a 15-minute warning.
For broadcast changes: Sometimes a Test moves channels or gets delayed. Follow Cricket Australia on social media for real-time updates.

Common mistake: Assuming all Tests are on free-to-air. Some away tours may be on subscription services. Check before the series starts so you’re not scrambling.

Step 8: Stay Flexible and Adapt

Here’s the reality: Test cricket schedules change. Weather delays, player injuries, or even global events can shift dates. Recent years have taught us that nothing is set in stone.

What to do: Check the CA website weekly during the season. The app is your best friend for updates. And if a Test gets moved or cancelled, don’t stress—there’s always another series around the corner.

Pro tip: Keep a backup plan. If a big Test gets rained out, have a Shield game or a BBL match ready to watch instead.

Pro Tips and Common Mistakes

Pro Tips

Use a shared calendar – If you’ve got mates who love cricket, create a shared Google Calendar with all the Test dates. Everyone can add their availability for a BBQ or pub session.
Watch the first session – In Test cricket, the first session often sets the tone. Even if you can’t watch the whole day, catch the first two hours.
Learn the World Test Championship points – Each Test series earns points towards the WTC final. It adds extra context to every match.
Follow the players on social media – Players often post about upcoming series. It’s a good informal source.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting time zones – Double-check every time.
Relying on unofficial schedules – Only trust cricket.com.au or the official CA app. Third-party sites can be wrong.
Missing ticket deadlines – Popular Tests sell out quickly. Set your alarm.
Ignoring the women’s schedule – The women’s Tests are just as exciting and often have cheaper tickets.
Not planning for the Shield – The Sheffield Shield is the breeding ground for future stars. Skip it at your own risk.

Your Australian Test Cricket Schedule Checklist

Here’s a quick summary of everything we’ve covered. Tick these off as you go:

Understand the summer (home) vs. winter (away) Test calendar
Identify the major Test series: Ashes, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and others
Visit cricket.com.au and filter for Test fixtures
Download the Cricket Australia app and enable notifications
Note key venues: MCG, SCG, WACA, Gabba, Adelaide Oval
Plan for ticket sales (home Tests) and broadcast channels (away Tests)
Align your schedule with the Sheffield Shield for player form insights
Add women’s Test matches to your calendar
Set reminders for ticket sales, first balls, and broadcast changes
Stay flexible—check official sources weekly for updates

Final Word

The Australian Test cricket schedule is your roadmap to a year of unforgettable cricket. Whether you’re planning a pilgrimage to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, setting your alarm for an early morning session from overseas, or just trying to keep up with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, this checklist has you covered.

Remember: Test cricket is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about patience, tradition, and the joy of watching the game unfold over five days. So grab your calendar, mark those dates, and get ready for some serious cricket.

Now, go on—get planning. The next Test series is closer than you think.

For more on the competitions and clubs that make Australian cricket tick, check out our hub on /clubs-competitions. And if you’re keen on the history behind the biggest rivalry, our /ashes-series-history page is a must-read. For the preseason stuff that sets the stage, head to /preseason-tournaments.

Australian Test Cricket Schedule: Upcoming Series and Tours – A Practical Fan’s Guide