To mark the announcement of the international cricket schedule for the 2025-26 season, Cricket Australia held press conferences on Monday in the 11 cities that will host matches this summer.
Here are the key talking points from around the country ahead of a busy period for Australia’s cricketers.
Lyon backs Kuhnemann, suggests process stays in-house
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon praised Matt Kuhnemann’s resilience after he was reported for a suspect bowling action and believes there is merit to the idea of keeping the process in-house.
Lyon bowled alongside Kuhnemann during Australia’s recent two-test tour of Sri Lanka and was “heartbroken” for the left-armer after he was forced to undergo testing to check his bowling action.
Kuhnemann’s was eventually cleared, with this masthead revealing that requirements to publicise an umpire’s reporting of a suspect bowling action may be changed.
“I was pretty heartbroken,” Lyon told reporters in Sydney. “I actually flew home with him. He was pretty gutted when he was talking to me about what he had to do … but for him to have his name cleared, I couldn’t be prouder for Matt and the way he’s gone about it.”
Australian players Alyssa Healy and Nathan Lyon pose for a photo during the 2025/26 Cricket Australia schedule announcement Credit: Getty Images
Why Lyon missed NSW’s last Sheffield Shield match
Lyon hasn’t played since Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka and missed NSW’s final Sheffield Shield match as they pushed for a spot in the final.
But Lyon, who like Usman Khawaja was spotted at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix event in Melbourne, said he was managing a hip injury. He is confident it won’t impact his preparations for Australia’s World Test Championship final against South Africa in June in London.
“I’ve been medically ruled out, to clear all that up,” Lyon said. “The plan was to play the Shield final if NSW were lucky enough to get in there. I ‘de-gloved’ my hip. Basically ripped the deep skin off the fascia. All well and good now.”
Green optimistic about Test return after injury
All-rounder Cameron Green says he’s open to dropping down to No.6 if it secures him a place in Australia’s Test XI for the WTC final.
The 25-year-old hasn’t played since an ODI against England in September due to a back injury.
Cameron Green in Perth on Monday. Credit: Getty Images for Cricket Australia
Green has declared himself fit for the WTC final in June but won’t be back bowling until the Ashes, starting late November.
“I’m going pretty well, and I’m all fit and healthy,” Green told reporters in Perth.
“I’d always set my mind on maybe getting back for the last Shield game.
Asked about his spot in the order, with Beau Webster having made his debut during the summer, Green said: “We’ve obviously got an ultra-successful top five, six, seven … so it’s never easy, but that’s what you want it to be in a Test team.”
Green will play for Gloucestershire next month as he returns from injury.
Healy quizzed on women’s schedule
Australia’s women will face India in a multi-format series – three T20Is, three ODIs and a Test at the WACA – but none of the matches will take place in the school holidays.
Injured Australian captain Alyssa Healy was asked about the scheduling decision.
2025-26 international schedule
Men’s T20I Series v South Africa
- Sunday, August 10: Marrara Stadium, Darwin (N)
- Tuesday, August 12: Marrara Stadium, Darwin (N)
- Saturday, August 16: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns (N)
Men’s ODI Series v South Africa
- Tuesday, August 19: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns (D/N)
- Friday, August 22: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay (D/N)
- Sunday, August 24: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay (D/N)
Men’s ODI Series v India
- Sunday, October 19: Perth Stadium, Perth (D/N)
- Thursday, October 23: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)
- Saturday, October 25: SCG, Sydney (D/N)
Men’s T20I Series v India
- Wednesday, October 29: Manuka Oval, Canberra (N)
- Friday, October 31: MCG, Melbourne (N)
- Sunday, November 2: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (N)
- Thursday, November 6: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast (N)
- Saturday, November 8: The Gabba, Brisbane (N)
Men’s Ashes
- November 21–25: Perth Stadium
- December 4–8: The Gabba
- December 17–21: Adelaide Oval
- December 26–30: Boxing Day Test MCG
- January 4–8: Pink Test, SCG
Women’s T20I series v India
- Sunday, February 15: SCG, Sydney (N)
- Thursday, February 19: Manuka Oval, Canberra (N)
- Saturday, February 21: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (N)
Women’s ODI Series v India
- Tuesday, February 24: Allan Border Field, Brisbane (D/N)
- Friday, February 27: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (D/N)
- Sunday, March 1: CitiPower Centre, Melbourne (D/N)
Women’s Test v India
- March 6–9: WACA Ground, Perth (D/N)
“It is what it is,” Healy said. “[It is] the changing nature of the international game at the moment. Obviously, the World Cup has pushed everything back and the WPL [Women’s Premier League], coming into that January window has kind of closed the gap for our summer down here.
“But I think just seeing what our Ashes series did at the back end of the summer this year, I’ve got positive vibes heading into this summer.”
CEO’s regret over Khawaja debacle
Queensland Cricket boss Terry Svenson has admitted the organisation’s handling of the Usman Khawaja saga was far from ideal.
Queensland’s head of elite cricket Joe Dawes and Khawaja haven’t spoken after a public slanging match over his availability for a Sheffield Shield match.
Usman Khawaja poses for a photo in Brisbane on Monday. Credit: Getty Images for Cricket Australia
Svenson believes Khawaja will continue to play his domestic cricket with Queensland.
“Look, those comments that were made in the media were certainly regrettable,” Svenson told reporters.
“I would have liked to see them stay behind closed doors. I plan to sit down with them over the coming period and work through any differences they may have.
“Usman’s been wonderful for many years for us in Queensland and I would expect to see him in maroon this season.”
Cricket NSW boss pushes for SCG upgrades
Lee Germon, chief executive of Cricket NSW, says the SCG will need an upgrade if it wants to retain key matches.
It comes as CA boss Todd Greenberg put the issue on the agenda after the announcement of a new Brisbane Stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics that will then be used for cricket.
“We support the SCG being upgraded,” Germon said. “We’ve supported Venues NSW through their master plan process. They [some stands] do need work. They’re 40-plus years old now.”
Asked if the SCG could lose the New Year’s Test, Germon said: “I don’t necessarily see it in the immediate future, but I think it’s something we need to be wary of and cognisant of.”
Webster wants a white ball game for Australia
Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster produced a stellar Test debut in Sydney and wants to become a three-format player for Australia.
Hobart will host a men’s T20 match between Australia and India on November 2, as well as a women’s ODI featuring the same opponents on February 27.
“No doubt I’d love to play all formats for Australia,” Webster said. “To play a game here at Bellerive Oval would be another dream come true.”
