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Scorchers, Lions to lock horns at new stadium

Perennial KFC Big Bash League contender to face England’s Second XI in three-match T20 series in December

Australia look set to meet England in a one-day international at the new Perth Stadium in late January to mark the official opening of the 60,000-seat venue.

But it is KFC Big Bash League club Perth Scorchers that will play the first cricket at the venue with a series of BBL|07 warm-up games against the England Lions in early December.

The Scorchers are scheduled for three T20 matches against the touring England second XI side on December 11, 13 and 15 ahead of the Scorchers BBL|07 season opener on December 23 against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.

Image Id: 9E6EF455783C41C0ADE24153E2051F4D Image Caption: The Perth Stadium will seat 55,000 for cricket // Getty

The Scorchers' first home game will be December 26 against the Melbourne Stars, to be played at the WACA, and the club could expect to host BBL Finals at the new stadium, providing a three-way deal is reached between Cricket Australia, the WACA and VenuesLive, the stadium operator.

A CA spokesperson said: “The WACA and Cricket Australia are continuing to work closely with the State Government on the readiness of Perth Stadium for the one-day international and a decision is expected in due course."

It is not expected that final decision will be this week, but will still leave plenty of time for an Australian Cricket Family pre-sale ahead of a general sale release of tickets, with the fifth Gillette ODI scheduled for January 28.

Image Id: 8E625D2CC8A2484CACA79393A2C52391 Image Caption: The venue has now had turf installed ahead of a December 11 match // Getty

The first of the Scorchers' BBL season warm-ups against the England Lions will be played in an empty stadium as a closed test event at the new Perth venue. The second match on December 13 will be an invite-only event run by stadium operator VenuesLive, with up to 10,000 reportedly invited to help test facilities.

More than 100,000 tickets for the stadium's open day on January 21 were snapped up in quick time, allowing locals a first glimpse in a walk-through of the stadium.

The first public event at the state-of-the-art venue, which has an expected capacity of 55,000 for cricket games, will see reigning World Cup holders Australia take on England in the final match of the five-match ODI series.

Image Id: 3CAC59984AC7496F97766F83C97A8BC2 Image Caption: Perth will use the same type of turf that the MCG and Gabba use // Getty

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews told the Weekend West newpaper: "There are a couple of outstanding issues but we will have a better idea next week of the confirmation of the ODI.

“There is no doubt that if the ODI gets the go-ahead, BBL finals will be played there as well, if the Scorchers qualify.”

England Lions tour

Squad: Dom Bess, Joe Clarke, Paul Coughlin, Alex Davies, Ben Duckett, George Garton, Nick Gubbins, Tom Helm, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Porter, Amar Virdi, Tom Westley, Mark Wood.

November 14: depart for Australia.

November 15: Brisbane, including three-day match against a Queensland XI at Allan Border Oval from 27-29

November 30: Perth, including T20 matches against Perth Scorchers on December 11, 13 and 15

January 31 – March 12: Tour of the West Indies

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21