Melbourne and Brisbane to host Super Challenge Series against India

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today confirmed that it will host a three-match one-day international series between Australia and India on 21, 23 and 26 September in Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Melbourne fixtures will take place at the Colonial Stadium on Friday, September 21 and Sunday, September 23, and on Wednesday. September 26 at the Gabba in Brisbane.

The series follows on from last year's history making tournament between Australia and South Africa, which saw international cricket played indoors for the first time.

ACB Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said that the series will build on the success of last year's event.

"The success of Super Challenge 2000 has paved the way for more international cricket out of the traditional summer season. Colonial Stadium is now a proven venue for cricket, while the warmer climate at the Gabba in Queensland provides us with an alternative to take the series to other parts of Australia.

"Australia and India had a terrific battle in India earlier in the year and Super Challenge 2001 will give Australian cricket followers the chance to enjoy the rivalry between these two teams," Speed said.

Australian captain Steve Waugh said that he was looking forward to the series.

"It's going to be great for the boys to play on home soil again after tours to India and the UK and the event should prove an excellent start to the new season.

"Super Challenge 2000 was a superb and innovative event that was a great experience to be involved in. The matches against India, both at the Colonial Stadium and at the Gabba promise to be an equally impressive spectacle, especially after the high-quality and closelyfought cricket the two sides produced in India last autumn.

"I know some of the players, like myself, have family commitments around that time and that's a difficult situation, but both sides, the ACB and the players, understand the other's point of view. I'm happy we've been able to reach an amicable solution that means Australia will field the strongest side available," Waugh said.

In order to prepare Colonial Stadium for Super Challenge, the ACB will again use a "drop-in" pitch to make the transition from an AFL ground to a surface suitable for international cricket. The pitch will be developed off-site, using similar technology to last year's event.

The Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club, who play at the Gabba have agreed to move any training session they have scheduled for the ground, should it coincide with the Super Challenge event on September 26. The Lions would only be training on this date should they win through to the AFL Grand Final.

Speed said he was very appreciative of the Lions' support. "I would like to thank the Lions for their flexibility in allowing the ACB to take Super Challenge to the people of Queensland," he said.

The Nine Network will televise the series in Australia. Ticketing details, sponsorship and overseas television arrangements will be announced in due course.