Australia to return to England in 2018

Australia will tune up for their World Cup defence in the UK with a one-day series in English conditions 12 months before the tournament gets underway.

The ECB today announced their schedule for their 2018 summer of cricket featuring a short tour from the Aussies for five One-Day Internationals and one T20 from June 13 to 27.

The series will come less than a year before Australia's Cup defence gets underway in the UK, with the 12th edition of one-day cricket's showpiece event to run from May 30 to July 15, 2019.

It will be the third time in the past decade that the Aussies have played a one-day series in the UK separate to their Ashes tours in 2009, 2013 and 2015; they lost a five-match series 3-2 in 2010 and one 4-0 in 2012.

The current side also took part in the ICC Champions Trophy in England last June.

The Aussies will be hoping to overcome their poor recent one-day record early in an English summer; over the past decade, Australia have won just two of 14 one-day internationals in the UK during June and July compared to 11 of 15 in September.

India (all formats) and Pakistan (Tests only) will also travel to the UK next northern summer to take part in an international season that will run from May 24 to September 11.

ENGLAND'S 2018 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER OF CRICKET

PAKISTAN

Thu 24-Mon 28 May - 1st Test, Lord’s

Fri 1-Tue 5 June - 2nd Test, Headingley

SCOTLAND

Sun 10 June - ODI, Edinburgh

AUSTRALIA

Wed 13 June - 1st ODI, The Oval (D/N)

Sat 16 June - 2nd ODI, Cardiff

Tue 19 June - 3rd ODI, Trent Bridge (D/N)

Thu 21 June - 4th ODI, Riverside (D/N)

Sun 24 June - 5th ODI, Old Trafford     

Wed 27 June - T20, Edgbaston (D/N)

INDIA

Tue 3 July - 1st T20, Old Trafford

Fri 6 July - 2nd T20, Cardiff

Sun 8 July - 3rd T20, Bristol

Thu 12 July - 1st ODI, Trent Bridge

Sat 14 July - 2nd ODI, Lord's

Tue 17 July - 3rd ODI, Headingley

Wed 1-Sun 5 Aug - 1st Test Match, Edgbaston

Thu 9-Mon 13 Aug - 2nd Test Match, Lord’s

Sat 18-Wed 22 Aug - 3rd Test Match, Trent Bridge

Thu 30 Aug-Mon 3 Sept - 4th Test Match, Ageas Bowl

Fri 7-Tue 11 Sept - 5th Test Match, The Oval