Cricket Australia is set to heavily front-load the summer schedule with red-ball cricket in order to get its stars ready for the first Test against England, in a plan dubbed Operation Ashes.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, 60 per cent of the Sheffield Shield season will be played before Australia hosts England at the Gabba on December 8.
The idea is to give as many contenders for the Ashes squad as much opportunity as possible to stake a claim for selection and build up form with wickets and runs.
Australia’s biggest multi-format stars will be at the T20 World Cup in the UAE from early October and the schedule will also give them a chance to get their eye in before heading over.
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