.png)
Sheffield Shield cricket will start in September for just the second time in Australian domestic cricket history, as Cricket Australia confirmed the Sheffield Shield and Marsh One Day Cup fixtures on Wednesday.
Six Sheffield Shield rounds will be completed before the Big Bash break for the 2021-22 summer, with the competition to start on September 28 following two weeks of 50 over fixtures from September 11-16.
It remains to be seen how COVID-19 restrictions and border closures will impact the schedule, despite Cricket Australia's schedule release.
Five rounds will be played before Australia's first Test of the summer, which is set for late November against Afghanistan in Hobart before the commencement of the Ashes.
The sixth Shield round before the mid-season break will be played concurrently with that Test, while an Australia A match against the touring Englishmen will be played at the same time as the first Vodafone Ashes Test at the Gabba on December 8-12.
Pending COVID restrictions, Shield cricket is scheduled to be played in all six states as well as one game at Manuka Oval in Canberra, with Queensland to take their home games to Townsville and the new Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane due to the redevelopment of Allan Border Field.
The Shield final will be played on March 26-30 and be broadcast on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports. Foxtel will also broadcast 13 Marsh Cup games, including the final.
Western Australia opens it's Sheffield Shield campaign against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, with four of their first five matches interstate in the four day format.
However Adam Voges men will start at home in the Marsh One Day Cup, playing matches against New South Wales and Queensland at the WACA on the 12th and 16th September, with the Blues and Bulls to meet at the same venue in a neutral contest on the 14th September.
IMAGE: Queensland Cricket.