Universal’s Summer Cricket Guide

Universal’s Summer Cricket Guide, edited by Australian sports journalist and commentator Ken Piesse, is a yearly edition that contains your complete tour guide for the international and domestic cricket season ahead. Including insightful editorial coverage on each team and player with commentaries by leading industry insiders on topical issues. Each magazine also contains a market place section with a review of the latest products available.

Universal’s Summer Cricket Guide

2026-27 FIXTURES

A CELEBRATION TO SAVOUR • The first three days of cricket’s ultimate birthday party sold out months ago. And a tiny little urn is taking pride of place. Cricket’s 150th anniversary Test match will be simply marvellous, says KEN PIESSE.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS • The appearance of an old friend is always welcome.

150 YEARS OF SIGNIFICANT ASHES IDENTITIES • From the woman who created the Ashes and the man immortalised in wax at Madame Tussards in London, we pinpoint cricket’s most important.

THOMMO REINCARNATED • Introducing five of the most likely headliners for 2026-27.

STILL GREAT AT 37 • Defying the odds has always been a Steve Smith trademark. At 37, he remains Australia’s most talented, influential and resilient champion. MARK BROWNING reports

A LIFETIME LOVE AFFAIR • Kingsgrove Sports is 50 not out this summer

NZ’S NEW NUMBER 1 • Cricket-mad Rachin Ravindra has immediate responsibility as NZ’s new No.1 batsman, says MARK BROWNING

WARNIE’S GREATEST DAY OF ALL • Twenty years on, MARK BROWNING remembers Shane Warne’s 700th Test wicket like it was yesterday

FAREWELLING THE BIG FIVE • Australia may be top of the world, but for how long? Asks KEN PIESSE.

THE AUSTRALIANS

THE TRANS-TASMAN VENUES

TOM’S EASYBEATS SEEK RESPECT • Can Tom Latham’s New Zealanders build on their enterprising English campaign and unseat their Australian rivals against all odds?

WELCOME NEW ZEALAND

TWIN TOWERS • NZ’s bid to defy the odds and bury a hoodoo revolve around two ever-so-tall rookies never before seen on this side of the Tasman

HOW TO BEAT INDIA • A blueprint to succeeding in India by the iconic GREG CHAPPELL

IS IT THE BATS? OR THE BALLS? • Runs are declining everywhere. Is it the quality of the wickets, declining batting techniques or higher-seamed Kookaburra balls? RIC FINLAY and KEN PIESSE explore

TOUGHER THAN EVEREST • MARK BROWNING on the toughest seven weeks of all for Australia in mysterious, beguiling, madcap India

THE BORDER-GAVASKAR TEST VENUES

CAN AUSSIES BURY A HOODOO? • Where else would you want to be but in England from June? The weather is warming, the roses blooming, visitors gathering and the cricket a joy.

THE ASHES VENUES

OH FOR THE GOOD OL’ DAYS • Runs have been in short supply in Australian domestic cricket. KEN PIESSE says improved, more batting-friendly wickets are a must allowing fresh generations of batsmen to prosper.

ONE DAY CUP

NEW SOUTH WALES

TEN YEARS OF NSW CRICKET • New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield 2016-26

QUEENSLAND

TEN YEARS OF QLD CRICKET • Queensland in the Sheffield Shield 2016-26

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

TEN YEARS OF SA STATE CRICKET • South Australia in the Sheffield Shield 2016-26

TASMANIA

TEN YEARS OF TAS STATE CRICKET • Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield 2016-26

SEE THE BLACK CAPS, ON US!

VICTORIA

TEN YEARS OF VIC STATE CRICKET • Victoria in the Sheffield Shield 2016-26

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

TEN YEARS OF WA STATE CRICKET • Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield 2016-26

GIRLS LIGHT UP THE NIGHT • An autumn time 2027 feature Test in South Africa is pivotal among the...