Australia's summer Test series this year is against New Zealand, four Tests that take in the whole of the traditional holiday run: Perth from 9 December, Adelaide from 17 December, the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year Test at the SCG. Four Tests is a long series for these two sides, and it makes the schedule a good one for fantasy players who want to follow the whole thing.
Squads have not been announced, so the focus here is on the calendar, the four venues and how to approach a long home Test series. Every Test is live on CricketDream.
Schedule
The four venues
- Perth Stadium (1st Test, 9 December): pace and bounce make the new ball the key period, so frontline quicks are the first picks. IST start is 7:50 AM.
- Adelaide Oval (2nd Test, from 17 December): a ground that has staged day-night Tests, and a good surface for batters in the early part of the match.
- MCG (3rd Test, Boxing Day): the biggest Test crowd of the year and a drop-in pitch that often offers early seam movement before flattening out.
- SCG (4th Test, from 4 January local time): the one ground in Australia where spin has a regular role, especially from day three onwards.
Fantasy approach for a four-Test series
- Plan the series, not just the match. Four Tests give you time to change your approach. Track which bowlers are overs-heavy and which batters score runs in the first innings.
- Quicks first in Perth and Melbourne. Pace bowlers who take wickets early are the best captain picks.
- Spin earns its place at the SCG. A frontline spinner is a strong differential for the last Test.
- Allrounders who bat in the top seven and bowl overs are the best value in every Test.
- Watch the calendar. The Boxing Day Test runs into the days before New Year, and the fourth Test starts nine days after it, so squads may rotate.
All four Tests start in the early morning in India, between 5:00 AM and 7:50 AM IST. The lock is at the start of the match, so set an alarm for the toss or use CricketDream match reminders.
What to expect
Australia are strong at home, and New Zealand's pace group will test them. The series is likely to be decided by who wins the first session at Perth and Melbourne. Use Predictor to back your call once the toss is done.
Play free on CricketDream
Every CricketDream game is free, with no entry fee and no prize pool. Pick 11 players within the credit budget, choose a captain (2x points) and vice-captain (1.5x points), and your score updates live through the match.
Open the 1st Test match page, Australia vs New Zealand in Perth.
Open match pageFrequently asked questions
When is the New Zealand tour of Australia?
The four Tests start on 9 December (Perth), 17 December (Adelaide), 26 December (the MCG, Boxing Day) and 4 January (the SCG), all local dates.
What time do the Tests start in India?
Day one starts at about 7:50 AM IST in Perth, 6:00 AM in Adelaide and 5:00 AM at the MCG and SCG.
Is this series ODIs or T20Is?
No. It is four Tests only.
Have the squads been announced?
Not yet. We update this guide when they are.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes. You can play the series for fun and bragging rights with friends.
Where can I follow the live score?
CricketDream is not a broadcaster. Check your local rights holder for the live stream, and use each CricketDream match page for the live score, confirmed playing XIs and your fantasy points as they update.