The touring Australians have agreed to the first ever 20-overs match between two international teams at The Rose Bowl on June 13.

The 20-over format will act as a curtain-raiser for the triangular NatWest Series that will also involve Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will also contest a two-match Test series, the first time they have played Tests in England, at Lord's and Chester-le-Street in late May and early June.

Australia will also face England in a three-match NatWest Challenge that starts July 7 at Headingley.

England have failed to win the Ashes since 1987, and they will hope to reclaim the fabled urn when the two sides contest the five Tests series which begins at Lord's on July 21.

The two teams will also contest three Test matches in August at Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Trent Bridge, before the final Ashes Test match at The Oval on September 8.

The one-off fixture follows a hugely successful county competition in England last summer, which was watched by 250,000 spectators.

Each game lasts just two-and-a-half hours with both teams facing 20 overs and the emphasis is placed on high-speed cricket.

Bowlers jog back to the start of their run-ups and batsmen wait in a baseball-style dug out at the side of the pitch in a bid to speed up the game.

South African cricket has also taken up the 20-over format, launching the Pro20 Series earlier this year.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday announced England's home international schedule for 2005.

ENGLAND HOME SCHEDULE
May 26-30: 1st Test England v Bangladesh, Lord's
June 3-7: 2nd Test England v Bangladesh, Durham

ASHES SCHEDULE
Twenty20 International
June 13: England v Australia, The Rose Bowl

NATWEST SERIES
June 16: England v Bangladesh, The Oval
June 18: Australia v Bangladesh, Cardiff
June 19: England v Australia, Bristol
June 21: England v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge (D/N)
June 23: England v Australia, Chester (D/N)
June 25: Australia v Bangladesh, Old Trafford
June 26: England v Bangladesh, Headingley
June 28: England v Australia, Edgbaston (D/N)
June 30: Australia v Bangladesh, Canterbury
July 2: Final, Lord's

NATWEST CHALLENGE
July 7: England v Australia, Headingley
July 10: England v Australia, Lord's
July 12: England v Australia, The Oval

ASHES TESTS
July 21-25: 1st Test England v Australia, Lord's
Aug 4-8: 2nd Test England v Australia, Edgbaston
Aug 11-15: 3rd Test England v Australia, Old Trafford
Aug 25-29: 4th Test England v Australia, Trent Bridge
Sept 8-12: 5th Test England v Australia, The Oval