Published: Jul 01, 2016, 05:42 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 01, 2016, 05:42 PM (IST)
International cricket could see a new venue as Geelong confirms interest in hosting one of the T20 Internationals (T20I) between Australia and Sri Lanka early next year. Hosts Australia are set to play three T20Is against Sri Lanka, beginning from February 17, the venues of which are yet to be decided. Kardinia Park Stadium Trust Executive Chris Cochrane expressed interest in hosting one of the T20Is after thei successfully hosted a warm-up match between Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Stars and also a two-day warm-up match between West Indies and Victoria last summer. Kardinia Park is located in Geelong, Victoria, which is the home ground of Geelong Football Club. READ: Starc to learn tips from former AUS pacers for SL tour
“We’re in negotiations with Cricket Australia all the time about upcoming events, and Sri Lanka are part of the T20 exercise next year, so we’ve put our hand up because we want to be part of it,” Cochrane told News Ltd. “We’re talking to Cricket Australia about that possibility. It could be a T20 game, it could be a tour game.” READ: Hazlewood counts on reverse-swing before AUS vs SL
“We’re ICC accredited, so our focus is on the T20 matches. So whether it’s Sri Lanka or another party over the summer, it depends on their scheduling and whether or not they want to put a game here,” he added.
A spokesperson from Cricket Australia confirmed that the venues for the T20I series is yet to be finalised. “As we have confirmed, Sri Lanka are due to tour towards the end of the 16-17 summer,” the spokesman said. READ: Mathews confident of better Test performance against AUS
“Piecing together the summer schedule is a complex task. Venues and associated tour matches for this tour have not yet been finalised. We expect to be in a position to announce this over the coming months,” the spokesperson added.
