After a nightmare chain of events in 2020 that lead to too many delays and cancellations, there is hope things will be more or less back on track in 2021. Although things are far from normal just yet, we can expect to see a number of important international series and events to thrill cricket fans.
Cricket fans have been eagerly waiting for the international cricket schedule in 2021. So let’s take a look at the most important cricket matches scheduled for next year.
- Ireland vs Afghanistan for 3 ODI series
Ireland vs Afghanistan is set to face off in Abu Dhabi between 18th and 23rd of January 2021 for the One Day International series. The Ireland team will travel to Abu Dhabi and will be hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, with all three matches scheduled to be held at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The first match will take place on 18th Jan 2021 followed by the second match on 21st Jan 2021 and the final match will take place on 23rd Jan 2021. This 3 ODI series is a part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) 2020-2022 Cricket World Cup Super League. The performance of both teams in this series will determine their entry into the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
- Australia vs New Zealand for T20 Match Series
Australia and New Zealand’s series of five T20 matches will be hosted by New Zealand in 2021. The matches will take place between February and March 2021, with first T20 match scheduled for 22nd February 2021 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The subsequent T20 matches will take place over the following two weeks around New Zealand culminating in the final match on 7th March 2021 at Bay Oval in Mt. Maunganui.
Three T20 matches were originally planned, but this was extended to a series of five T20 matches. With travel restrictions eased between Australia and New Zealand but much more complicated to other parts of the world, it makes sense for these two neighbours to face off for an extended series to delight cricket fans.
- Bangladesh vs New Zealand for Three OD1 and Three T20 Series
Close on the heals of the series with Australia, New Zealand Cricket host the Bangladeshi Cricket team for a three ODI series and three T20 matches in March 2021. All the matches between Bangladesh and New Zealand will take place in New Zealand between 13th and 28th March 2021, starting with the first ODI match starts 13th March 2021 at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin., and finishing with the final ODI match on 20th March 2021 at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
When it comes to the T20 fixtures, the first T20 match is scheduled on 23rd March 2021 and will be held at McLean Park in Napier. After the second T20 match on 26th March 2021 at Eden Park in Auckland, the third and final T20 match will take place on 28th March 2021 at Seddon Park in Hamilton. New Zealand has an advantage since they are playing on home ground. This will be a significant tour for Bangladesh as the team will be participating in their first international match after nearly 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- England vs Sri Lanka ODI Series
A little later in June, the Sri Lanka cricket team will travel to England to play three ODI matches against England, due to take place between June and July next year, with the first ODI match scheduled to start on 29th June 2021 at Riverside Ground in Chester le Street. After the second ODI on 1st July 2021 at Kennington Oval in London, the final match will be on 4th July 2021 at County Ground in Bristol. The second match will be one to watch, as a day/night match to be played under flood lights.
- India vs England Test Series
Next, England will host India’s national cricket team for five Test matches between August and September 2021. The Test series will kick off with the first test 4th August to 8th August 2021 to be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham and finish with the fifth and final Test from 10th September to 14th September 2021 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
- England vs Pakistan for Two T20 matches
The final major event on the 2021 international cricket calendar will be when Pakistan hosts England for two T20 matches in October 2021. The first T20 match will take place on 14th October 2021 at National Stadium in Karachi, and the second on 15th October 2021 at National Stadium in Karachi. These matches will form part of the Future Tour Program which was announced by the ICC in 2009.