ECB owe ‘debt of gratitude’ to Australia after rivals agree to play six matches against England next month
- Australia will play six white-ball matches in Southampton and Manchester
- They have committed to travelling after trips by West Indies and Pakistan
- Australia sought extra assurances about the bio-secure measures used in Tests
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison admitted England owe Australia a ‘significant debt of gratitude’ after the old enemy named a 21-man touring squad.
Three Twenty20s at the Ageas Bowl and three one-day matches at Old Trafford were confirmed for next month after the Australian government granted exemptions for the squad to travel.
The ECB face losses of £106million for this summer blighted by the pandemic — a figure that would have increased by £76m had the Australians not toured.
Australia are to play six white-ball matches in Southampton and Manchester next month
Familiar faces returning include Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc, while the squad also includes three uncapped players: keeper-batsman Josh Philippe, left-arm seamer Daniel Sams and paceman Riley Meredith.
The two governing bodies have agreed biosecurity and travel plans for the first international tour by an Australian sports team since the pandemic began.
Harrison said: ‘We owe a significant debt of gratitude to Cricket Australia for their efforts in getting this tour underway. ‘Their co-operation will provide much-needed financial aid at all levels of cricket here.’
Australia sought assurances about the bio-secure measures employed in Tests at Emirates Old Trafford and the Ageas Bowl