Canberra secures India match as part of three-game cricket deal for 2020-21

Manuka Oval will host three international matches as part of Cricket Australia's 2020-21 summer schedule, which was announced on Thursday night.

The capital will be beamed into 1.3 billion of lounge rooms when India play against Australia in a Twenty20 on October 14 with the hope fans will be able to attend.

That will be the marquee fixture, with the Australian women's team to play India on January 22 and the men's team to also play New Zealand in 50-over clash on January 29.

Details of the traditional Prime Minister's XI fixture are yet to be finalised because it is unclear if crowds will be able to attend any matches this year. Potential Big Bash games are yet to be decided as well.

The ACT government, Cricket Australia and Cricket ACT were in the final stages of negotiating a six-year content deal earlier this year, which would have guaranteed the capital's place on the calendar.

But a meeting in March was postponed because of coronavirus left Canberra's cricketing future in the air.

Cricket Australia bosses have shown faith by scheduling the three internationals to help the city build more momentum after a historic Test, Twenty20 and women's T20 World Cup last year.

Canberra's role could be expanded given it is one of the only state or territories to record no coronavirus cases for 24 days in a row and without border travel restrictions.

But Chief Minister Andrew Barr has said his preference is to not pay for events which cannot attract crowds, given they will not be able to generate revenue for the ACT economy.

A chance to host India might change his mind given a global audience will have its eyes on Canberra as a future destination. If crowds can attend, India's fans are sure to be in the stands at Manuka Oval.

"Canberra's such a good spot, we're hopeful of getting some fixtures," said Cricket ACT boss James Allsopp.

"We're in a good position in terms of community transition and having no active COVID-19 cases, there's no travel restrictions either. Even if crowds can't attend, it puts the spotlight on Canberra as a destination of choice and a staple in the cricket summer."

Canberra cricket had its fair share of bad luck last year, with smoke forcing a Big Bash game to be cancelled halfway through and the local season being cut short because of coronavirus.

Officials are due for a change of luck and hosting India in a Twenty20 international or a 50-over contest could bet he perfect tonic.

Meanwhile, Western Australian cricket chief Christina Matthews says it is "astounding" Perth has been snubbed for hosting one of Australia's four Tests against India this summer, declaring Optus Stadium is superior to the Gabba in every facet.

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Cricket Australia (CA) will on Friday confirm dates for the marquee India tour, with Brisbane locked in to host the first Test on December 3 before a day-night clash in Adelaide and the traditional Boxing Day and New Year's fixtures in Melbourne and Sydney.

Perth will receive the consolation prize of hosting the one-off inaugural Test against Afghanistan on November 21 at Optus Stadium.

Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) officials are fuming at the decision to overlook the multi-billion dollar stadium for the hotly-anticipated return of Virat Kohli's men, particularly given WA's complementary timeslot for Indian audiences.

"All the metrics associated with cricket over the last two years see us surpass Brisbane in every area, whether that's crowds, broadcast ratings, even better rainfall at that time of year, more corporate seats - just so many indicators - and a brand new stadium," Matthews told reporters on Thursday.

"When Australian cricket's primary objective is fans first, it is astounding that the 10,000 members who pay money to support cricket year after year in this state are not afforded the number one Test team to tour this year.

"The last time (in 2014), we were told it was because our venue wasn't good enough and if we supported a new stadium, this would never happen again. And here we are again."

The confirmed reinstatement of the Gabba, where Australia has not lost in more than 30 years, comes as little surprise after public lobbying from the likes of Test captain Tim Paine.

Perth was picked ahead of Brisbane when India toured in 2018-19 and was the scene of a 146-run victory for the hosts.

Matthews expects the WACA to bleed members as a result of the decision at a time when CA is already asking the states to make significant cuts because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We obviously hope that our members will continue to support us but we have to factor in that could be a $3 or $4 million hit to us on membership alone," Matthews said.

"They're not necessarily looking at the hardcore cricket fans when they're making those decisions.

"We've been told commercially, Brisbane is more viable for Australian cricket and that over an eight-year touring period from 2015 through to 2023 WA has a better schedule than anyone else.

"I'm not really privy to what's going to happen in the next three years but they were the key reasons."

An outspoken critic of CA at times, Matthews said WA remained privileged to host Afghanistan and looked forward to welcoming the emerging nation.

CANBERRA'S MATCHES

October 14: Australia men's v India at Manuka Oval

January 22: Australia women's v India at Manuka Oval

January 29: Australia men's v New Zealand at Manuka Oval

AUSTRALIA'S SUMMER TEST SCHEDULE:

* One-off Test v Afghanistan: Optus Stadium, November 21-25 (day-night)

* First Test v India: Gabba, December 3-7

* Second Test: Adelaide Oval, December 11-15 (D/N)

* Third Test: MCG, December 26-30

* Fourth Test: SCG, January 3-7