Australia hoping for 'full crowds' for Ashes series

SYDNEY - Cricket Australia is hoping for packed stadiums for this year's Ashes series even if England's "Barmy Army" of travelling fans are unlikely to get into the country, interim chief executive nick Hockley said on Wednesday.

The schedule for Australia's 2021-22 home season was confirmed on Wednesday with a maiden test against Afghanistan in November starting proceedings before five Ashes contests over five weeks around the New Year. Australia's borders are still closed to all non-essential travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, and the government said last week that might remain the case until the middle of next year.