First international match of each Test-playing nation in 2020

2019 was an action-packed year in international cricket in every sense. It began with India creating history, registering their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil. On the other hand, Sri Lanka did the unthinkable, becoming the first Asian side to win a Test series in South Africa.

England maintained the recent tradition of hosts winning the World Cup by defeating (technically) New Zealand in a thrilling final. The year also saw the successful return to international cricket of Aussie duo Steve Smith and David following the end of their ball-tampering bans.

Among individuals, England all-rounder Ben Stokes, Indian captain Virat Kohli, opener Rohit Sharma, and the Australian trio of Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc had an extraordinary year. 2020 will also present some major challenges for these teams and players. On that note, we take a look at which will be the first international game of each team in the New Year.

Australia and New Zealand (3rd Test at Sydney - January 3-7)

Australia v New Zealand - 2nd Test: Day 4

Australia and New Zealand will kick-off 2020 by featuring in the third Test at Sydney starting from January 3. The hosts are 2-0 up in the series. They won the first Test at Perth by 296 runs thanks to another hundred by Labuschagne and Starc’s nine-wicket haul. Australia also dominated the Boxing Day Test, claiming victory by 247 runs as Travis Head made an important hundred. With the ball, Cummins picked up five wickets and James Pattinson six.

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England and South Africa (2nd Test at Cape Town - January 3-7)

South Africa v England - 1st Test: Day 4

England and South Africa will also play their first match of the year from January 3 to 7. It will be the second Test of the series, and will be held in Cape Town. The Proteas registered a much-needed win against the Englishmen in the first Test at Centurion. The 107-run triumph was built around Quinton de Kock’s aggressive 95. Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball, claiming seven wickets while the retiring Vernon Philander chipped in with 4 for 16 in the first innings.

India and Sri Lanka (1st T20I at Guwahati - January 5)

India v Sri Lanka (File Pic)

India and Sri Lanka’s first international game will be the first T20I of the three-match series at Guwahati. While the first match of the series will be played on January 5, the second and third games will be held at Indore and Pune on January 7 and 10 respectively.

The series will mark the comeback of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been out of action with a stress fracture since the West Indies tour. Opener Shikhar Dhawan, who missed the West Indies series at home, has also been included in the squad.

India’s T20 squad against Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer,Manish Pandey, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shivam Dube, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav,Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar#INDvSL

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 23, 2019

West Indies and Ireland (1st ODI at Barbados - January 7)

West Indies v Ireland (File Pic)

West Indies will take on Ireland in their first international match of 2020. The game will be played at Barbados on January 7 as part of the three-match ODI series. The second match of the series will also be played at Barbados on January 9, while the third ODI will be held at St George’s on January 12.

The ODIs will be followed by three T20Is. The first match will be played at St George’s on January 15. The second and third T20Is will be back-to-back encounters in Basseterre on January 19 and 20.

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan (January - unconfirmed)

Pakistan v Bangladesh - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Bangladesh are likely to play three T20Is and two Tests against Pakistan in January 2020. The venues and the dates for the series are still under discussion. However, there is uncertainty over the tour. BCB president Nazmul Hassan has admitted that some players are unsure of touring Pakistan.

If the series doesn't go ahead...

Pakistan will play their first international game of 2020 against the Netherlands at Amstelveen on July 4. This will be the first ODI of a three-match series. The other two games will also be played at the same venue on July 7 and 9. After that, Pakistan will feature in a two-match T20I series against Ireland on July 12 and 14. This will be followed by the first of three Tests against England at Lord’s on July 30.

Bangladesh v Ireland (File Pic)

On the other hand, Bangladesh will take on Ireland in their first international game of 2020 at Belfast on May 14. This will be the first ODI of a three-match series. The second and third games will also be held at the same venue on May 16 and May 19.

Afghanistan (17th Match, Super 12 Group 2, World T20 at Perth - October 26)

Afghanistan may directly be seen in the World T20

As per the current schedule, Afghanistan’s first international match of 2020 will be held directly on October 26. This will be the 17th match of the ICC World T20 to be played at Perth on October 26. Afghanistan will take on an undecided opponent in the Super 12 Group 2 match.