Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland and Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey joined forces at the MCG on Tuesday to unveil the benefits reaped by the 2006/2007 3 mobile Ashes Series.

The Ashes and Commonwealth Bank one-day-international series brought in $317 million for the Australian economy and created 793 jobs, according to an economic impact study prepared.

Despite the hosts' dominance over a hapless England in the five-Test series, more than 813,000 tickets were sold across the summer.

The much-hyped series helped to attract 37,000 international tourists of whom 64 per cent came specifically for the Ashes.

The report showed each international tourist spent nearly $10,500 and stayed about 30 days.

"The 2006/2007 summer of cricket provided a huge boost for the Australian economy and shows cricket is good for business in this country," Sutherland said.

"We're planning ahead now for this summer with India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand visiting our shores. We do so with much greater knowledge of the value that cricket provides the Australian economy."

"We really look forward to better results as we go ahead."

Ms Bailey praised the players for reclaiming the Ashes and assisting the economy.

"Cricket is simply marvellous for jobs and tourism. Our boys not only did a fabulous job in winning back the Ashes, but helped to create hundreds of new jobs and attract thousands of tourists to our shores," she said.

She said the Government was now planning to reap the same rewards this coming summer.

"Cricket provides one of Australia's strongest links with India, and through our new tourism office in Mumbai and our partnership with Cricket Australia, we intend to bowl in a tourism bonanza this coming summer," Ms Bailey said.

Tickets for the upcoming international summer of cricket, including the 3 mobile Test Series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, will go on sale to Australian Cricket Family members on July 2 with general public tickets on sale from August 1.

Sportal