Will Darwin host a one-dayer against Zimbabwe at TIO Stadium as part of a winter series in 2020?

NT CRICKET is confident it can snare a sought-after one-day international featuring Australia and Zimbabwe at Marrara in June next year.

Former Australian star allrounder Shane Watson pictured meeting fans during a one-dayer against Bangladesh at Marrara in 2008

NT CRICKET is confident it can snare a sought-after one-day international featuring Australia and Zimbabwe at Marrara in June next year.

The International Cricket Council released its Future Tour Programme for 2018-2023 in June last year, and Australia is scheduled to host the world’s 12th-ranked ODI nation in three 50-over games from June 15-19.

Cairns would also come into the reckoning given the northern Queensland city has similar ideal dry-season type weather to Darwin at that time of the year.

The Territory capital has hosted four ODIs previously – all against Bangladesh – in 2003, and three from August 30 to September 6, 2008.

Bangladesh (July 18-20, 2003) and Sri Lanka (July 1-3, 2004) have also played Tests in Darwin in dry-season conditions.

All those games were at TIO Stadium.

More recently, Australia held a seven-day training camp at Marrara in August, 2017, as preparation for its two-Test tour of Bangladesh.

And in a sign that Marrara is fast becoming known as a respected training and playing facility for the country’s elite cricketers, Australian stars David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were drawcards during the 2018 NT Strike League.

Those recent visits from Australia’s superstars to the Top End would hold Darwin in good stead to host yet another international fixture next year.

NT Cricket CEO Joel Morrison confirmed Cricket Australia was considering the Marrara precinct as a possible training and playing venue for the touring Zimbabwe side in 2020.

“Cricket Australia are considering a number of options throughout the country for the series (against Zimbabwe next year), including Darwin,” Morrison said in a statement to the NT News.

“We’ll be better placed to understand the likely host venues early in the new year.”