Australia Test Schedule Gives Ponting Home Chance to Pass Waugh

Australia will host South Africa in Brisbane for the first time in 49 years to open its 2012-13 international season, while Ricky Ponting could become his country’s most-experienced player at his home ground.

The Australian summer schedule released today features 43 days of international cricket, which includes three-Test series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, two best-of-five one-day contests and three Twenty20 internationals.

Ponting would tie Steve Waugh’s record of 168 Tests for Australia if he plays in all three matches against South Africa starting Nov. 9. That would give him the chance to take the record outright in the series-opening Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart, the capital of his home state of Tasmania.

Melbourne and Sydney retain their traditional slots as hosts of the Boxing Day and New Year Tests.

2012-13 AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET SCHEDULE
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TEST SERIES
Nov. 9–13      Australia v South Africa    Gabba, Brisbane
Nov. 22–26     Australia v South Africa    Adelaide Oval
Nov. 30–Dec. 4 Australia v South Africa    WACA, Perth

Dec. 14-18     Australia v Sri Lanka       Bellerive, Hobart
Dec. 26–30     Australia v Sri Lanka       MCG
Jan. 3-7       Australia v Sri Lanka       SCG

ONE-DAY SERIES
Jan. 11        Australia v Sri Lanka       MCG
Jan. 13        Australia v Sri Lanka       Adelaide Oval
Jan. 18        Australia v Sri Lanka       Gabba, Brisbane
Jan. 20        Australia v Sri Lanka       SCG
Jan. 23        Australia v Sri Lanka       Bellerive, Hobart

TWENTY20 INTERNATIONALS 
Jan. 26        Australia v Sri Lanka       Sydney Olympic Park
Jan. 28        Australia v Sri Lanka       MCG

ONE-DAY SERIES 
Feb. 1         Australia v West Indies     WACA, Perth
Feb. 3         Australia v West Indies     WACA, Perth
Feb. 6         Australia v West Indies     Manuka Oval, Canberra

Feb. 8         Australia v West Indies     SCG
Feb. 10        Australia v West Indies     MCG

TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL 
Feb. 13        Australia v West Indies     Gabba, Brisbane

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Dan Baynes at dbaynes@bloomberg.net