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SCG Test start of a busy 2020 for Langer

3 minute read

Australia's men's cricket team return to South Africa for the first time since sandpapergate and host the Twenty20 World Cup during a busy 2020.

VIRAT KOHLI Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

2020 VISION FOR JUSTIN LANGER

The SCG Test represents the start of an important year for Langer's team. Here are some of the highlights:

*ODI TOUR OF INDIA (Jan)

Australia's first 50-over assignment since their World Cup semi-final loss to England. Virat Kohli's juggernaut will be a good measuring stick for a new-look squad featuring in-form batsman Marnus Labuschange, who is yet to play an ODI. Langer will stay at home, with Andrew McDonald to serve as caretaker coach.

*LIMTED-OVERS TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA (Feb)

Even in the unlikely event the on-field action is unremarkable, this will be worth watching if Steve Smith and David Warner return to the scene of sandpapergate. Cricket South Africa has even scheduled a Twenty20 at Newlands.

*SIX TRANS-TASMAN CLASHES (March)

Kane Williamson's men return for three ODIs in Australia before the trans-Tasman rivalry continues with three T20s in New Zealand.

*TEST TOUR OF BANGLADESH (June)

The inaugural Test championship final, at Lord's in 2021, remains a major goal for Tim Paine and teammates. Away victories will go a long way to securing a top-two spot on the table. Australia's previous Test series in Bangladesh finished a 1-1 draw.

*T20 WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA (Oct-Nov)

The only major tournament that Australia's men's team are yet to win. Australia are hosting the entire event, so they will rarely have such a good chance to lift the elusive piece of silverware. The women's T20 World Cup is also being hosted by Australia, in February, and organisers are targeting a world-record crowd at the MCG final.

*INDIA RETURNS (Nov-Dec)

This four-Test series, potentially featuring the first pink-ball Test between the rivals, should be a cracker. Kohli made history in 2018-19, steering India to their maiden Test series win in Australia. As BCCI president Sourav Ganguly recently said, the addition of Smith and Warner means that India will confront a "different Australia" compared to their previous visit.