The Kookaburra Interstate Challenge returns to DXC Arena from Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October, with the Northern Territory taking on Sydney University and Adelaide’s M2 Cricket Coaching.
Teams will play a combination of T20 and 50-over matches across DXC Arena’s two ovals, including day-night cricket.
Now in its sixth year, the Challenge provides an additional playing opportunity at the end of the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition season, with local players competing for selection in Cricket Australia’s Under 17 National Championships.
The event also forms part of our broader pathway, developing local talent and connecting players with opportunities in other high-performance systems. Three members of our 2025 Interstate Challenge squad, Sam Barker (Southern Districts), Cadell McMahon (Palmerston) and Junaid Mansoor (Waratah), earned selection in the senior NT Strike squad for the 2026 Top End T20 Series.
For visiting teams M2 Cricket Coaching and Sydney University, the Challenge offers valuable match preparation ahead of their summer seasons.
Northern Territory Squad
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Toby Anderson | Darwin CC |
| Jack Evans | Nightcliff CC |
| Shakeel Faizer | Wests CC |
| Ty Jennings | Waratah CC |
| Joel Kitching | Tracy Village CC |
| Harvey McCormick | Waratah CC |
| Marcus Nichols | Darwin CC |
| Lucas Nixon (wicketkeeper) | Tracy Village CC |
| Billy O’Toole | PINT CC |
| Angad Panwar | Southern Districts CC |
| Rithun Ramanan | Waratah CC |
| Ralph Stephens | Darwin CC |
| Riley Suter | Nightcliff CC |
| Harry Tregloan | PINT CC |
Head Coach Harry Martin (Nightcliff CC)
Assistant Coach Charlie Smith (Nightcliff CC)
Fixtures
All times are Australian Central Standard Time (ACST). Finish times are approximate.
| Date | Time | Format | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 28 September | 1pm–8pm | 50-over | M2 Cricket Coaching v NT | DXC Arena Oval 1 |
| Tuesday 29 September | 10am–5pm | 50-over | M2 Cricket Coaching v Sydney University | DXC Arena Oval 2 |
| Wednesday 30 September | 9am–12pm | T20 | NT v M2 Cricket Coaching | DXC Arena Oval 1 |
| Wednesday 30 September | 1pm–8pm | 50-over | NT v Sydney University | DXC Arena Oval 1 |
| Thursday 1 October | 10am–5pm | 50-over | M2 Cricket Coaching v Sydney University | DXC Arena Oval 2 |
| Friday 2 October | 10am–1pm | T20 | M2 Cricket Coaching v Sydney University | DXC Arena Oval 1 |
| Friday 2 October | 2pm–5pm | T20 | NT v Sydney University | DXC Arena Oval 1 |