Cardiff will stage the first Test of next summer's Ashes series and Hampshire's Rose Bowl will also host a Test match for the first time in 2011, the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced.
The ECB today released the schedule for the 2009 Ashes, which will see Sophia Gardens make its debut as a Test venue.
The first npower Test in the five-match series starts on July 8, followed by clashes at Lord's (July 20), Edgbaston (July 30), Headingley (August 7) and The Oval (August 20).
The Rose Bowl will become the country's 10th Test venue two summers later when it hosts the second game of the three-match series against Sri Lanka, with Cardiff staging the first Test.
Reacting to the announcement of the Ashes schedule, ECB chief executive David Collier said: "Already there is great expectation surrounding the npower Ashes Test Series, which will follow the 2009 Twenty20 World Championships in an exciting summer of cricket.
"We have been in full consultation with the England management about the structure of the series and our summer programme in 2009 and this was ECB's preferred programme.
"I think everyone is now looking forward to the summer with relish."
Star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who made his Test debut in the first match of the victorious 2005 Ashes series, added: "I'm looking forward to facing the Australian team again on home soil.
"The 2009 npower Ashes Series promises some great cricket at some great venues and no doubt some tough challenges along the way."
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: "While it's still more than a year away, the 2009 Ashes series is already generating significant interest both here and in the UK.
"The 2005 series was a remarkable contest and the catalyst for huge growth in our game in Australia and the UK. I'm sure that the 2009 Ashes will be another eagerly-anticipated series."
Today also saw the announcement of the Test match, one-day international, Twenty20 and domestic final schedule until the end of 2011.
It was endorsed by the ECB board this week following recommendations from the independent Major Match Group, chaired by Lord Morris of Handsworth.
As well as a maiden Test in 2011, the Rose Bowl was awarded one-day internationals against Australia for the next two summers.
Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said: "This is a truly historic day for the Rose Bowl and Hampshire Cricket.
"This is the culmination of an enormous amount of hard work and dedication and yes, it is the fulfilment of a personal dream.
"It is important that this is not seen as 'mission accomplished' though, as we fully intend to be a permanent fixture on the Test match calendar from 2011 onwards."
Old Trafford is again the big loser in the Test match stakes, with no Test planned at the ground from 2009-11, although the venue for the first Test against Bangladesh in 2010 has yet to be confirmed.
But Lancashire were delighted to be awarded two Twenty20 internationals against Australia in 2009 and a ODI against the same opponents the following year.
Chief executive Jim Cumbes said: "After missing out on an Ashes Test match, we are thrilled to be hosting Australia three times in two years."
MMG chairman Lord Morris explained the decision-making process, saying: "We were presented with a more than 200 excellent and professional bids for the ECB major matches until the end of the 2011 season.
"The MMG examined each and every one against our balanced scorecard which specifically rewards grounds for the excellence of their facilities.
"We have nominated the venues that were best suited and most deserved to be awarded the major matches."
The full schedule from 2009 is:
2009:
World Twenty20: Lord's; The Oval; Trent Bridge
npower Test matches v Zimbabwe*: Lord's; Riverside
NatWest ODI v Zimbabwe: Headingley; Edgbaston; Bristol
npower Ashes Test matches v Australia: Cardiff; Lord's; Edgbaston; Headingley; The Oval
NatWest ODI v Australia: Rose Bowl; Lord's; The Oval; Lord's; Trent Bridge; Trent Bridge; Riverside
NatWest Twenty20 Internationals v Australia: Old Trafford (two matches)
Twenty20 finals day: Edgbaston
Friends Provident Trophy Final: Lord's
2010:
Tests v Bangladesh: TBC; Headingley
ODIs: Edgbaston; Trent Bridge; Bristol
Tests v West Indies: Lord's; Trent Bridge; Edgbaston; The Oval
ODIs v West Indies: Rose Bowl; The Oval; Headingley; Riverside; Lords.
ODIs v Australia: Cardiff; Rose Bowl; The Oval; Lord's; Old Trafford
International Twenty20s: TBC
Twenty20 Finals Day: Rose Bowl
Friends Provident Trophy Final: Lord's
2011:
Tests v Sri Lanka: Cardiff; Rose Bowl; Lord's
ODIs v Sri Lanka: Trent Bridge; Headingley; Edgbaston; The Oval; Old Trafford
Tests v India: Lord's; Trent Bridge; Edgbaston; The Oval
ODIs v India: Cardiff; Durham; Rose Bowl; The Oval; Lord's
International Twenty20s: Two from Headingley; Bristol; Old Trafford and Riverside
Twenty20 finals: Riverside
Friends Provident Trophy Final: Lord's
* subject to Zimbabwe regaining Test status
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