The Northern Territory is a step closer to hosting a Men’s Test Match with Australia ‘A’ scheduled to play Sri Lanka ‘A’ in a four-day First-Class match at TIO Stadium as part of a multi-format series this July.
First Class Cricket Returns to Darwin
The Top End ‘A’ Series will consist of three 50-over matches and two four-day fixtures across DXC Arena and TIO Stadium, with squads expected to include a number of Australian and Sri Lankan Test Players. All five matches of the Australia A v Sri Lanka A series will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au, and fixtures will be free entry and open to the public.
The return of First-Class cricket to Darwin for the first time since 2006 continues a record setting year for cricket in the Northern Territory and follows recent announcements of an Australian Women’s Team training camp in the Top End, as well as the Australian Men’s Team starting the 2025-26 Australian Summer in Darwin with two T20Is against South Africa on 10 and 12 August.
NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey said:
“This series is another important building block towards our goal of bringing more international cricket to the Northern Territory and unlocking the significant benefits of our winter cricket opportunity.
“We look forward to hosting Australia ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’ and continuing to showcase the importance of cricket to our increasingly multicultural community and the role the sport can play in rebuilding our economy, driving visitation and growing our population.”
Peter Roach, CA Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling said:
“It’s fantastic to confirm a multi-format series which provides the next crop of emerging cricketers with excellent development opportunities throughout the Australian winter.
“Darwin’s dry season weather between the months of May and September offers both the Northern Territory and Australian Cricket an incredible winter opportunity which allows cricket to be played in Australia all-year round.
“Hosting these matches, and especially a match at TIO Stadium, gives significant status to the series ahead of the 2025-26 international season.”
Fixtures
July 4 - 50-Over Match | DXC Arena, Darwin (D/N)
July 6 - 50-Over Match | DXC Arena, Darwin
July 9 - 50-Over Match | DXC Arena, Darwin
July 13-16 - Four-Day Match | TIO Stadium, Darwin
July 20-23 - Four-Day Match | DXC Arena, Darwin