Headingley to host Aussie Test
11/09/2009 10:27 PM
England's Tests against Bangladesh next summer will be played at Old Trafford and Lord's, with Headingley instead hosting a neutral Test match between Pakistan and Australia.
The England and Wales Cricket Board have adopted the recommendations of the Independent Major Match Group, with Lord's hosting the other Pakistan Test, to ensure the maximum number of Pakistan fans can attend the matches.
The series against Australia, who have not toured Pakistan since 1998, has been switched to neutral territory because of the security situation in the Asian country.
Old Trafford will now stage its first Test match since 2008, the Pakistan v Australia international Twenty20s will both be at Edgbaston while Cardiff will host the two Twenty20s between England and Pakistan.
ECB chairman Giles Clarke said: "I thank Lord Morris of Handsworth and his MMG as well as Gordon Hollins, ECB Head of Venue Partnerships, for the sensible approach they have made to ensure that the largest number of members of the Pakistani ethnic community across Britain can see the neutral Test matches between Pakistan and Australia as well as ensuring a good geographical spread of the matches."
In 2011, England's Twenty20 match against India will be at Old Trafford and the Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka will be at Bristol.