Darwin will host two international T20s, opening the door for test matches as early as 2026
The return of international cricket for the first time in 17 years could open a pathway for test cricket to be played in the NT as early as next year.
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International cricket will return to the Northern Territory for the first time in 17 years with two T20s to be played at TIO Stadium - and there’s scope for tests to make a return as early as next year.
Australia will host South Africa in the two T20 matches on August 10 and 12 to kick start the 2025-26 summer of cricket in Darwin.
Other elite cricket content will also be making its way north including an Australia A match, which will test the long format viability of the drop-in pitches.
Australia is likely to host Bangladesh in August 2026 with Cricket Australia head of cricket operations and scheduling Peter Roach stating Darwin is among four venues in contention to host.
“The opportunity for test matches could arise, we have tests against Bangladesh next August with four venues, including Darwin, looking at those matches,” Roach said.
“What we’re really excited about is having a look at the Darwin facilities this year, not just for the T20s but also for the A series when we do have a four day game schedule for the stadium.
“What we are looking for is confidence in the pitch and how that plays over a four or five day game, we have the A series to look at and hopefully that goes really well.”
Darwin has proven its ability to host top level cricket in recent years, creating opportunities to play at home during the winter with the Cricket 365 program.
Cricket NT has invited top domestic teams from the Big Bash and further afield, such as Bangladesh A and Pakistan A, to compete in the Top End Series.
These T20 matches, as well as potential top grade women’s matches, will be the next step toward the NT integrating itself once more.
Cricket NT chief executive Gavin Dovey said the community was delighted and grateful to be given the opportunity to host top class cricket in the NT.
“It’s wonderful that our local community gets to watch world class cricket here in our own backyard, it’s our national sport,” he said.
“Bringing international cricket here to the Northern Territory is a great opportunity to show off this wonderful region.
“We really think the NT has an elevated role to play in Australian cricket and we’ve worked really hard to get this opportunity across the line.
“We’re confident we will do a good job and this will be the start of more international cricket coming to the Territory and women’s cricket will be a big part of that.
“Now it’s how do we build up our capability to host all formats starting with T20, if we can do a good job this year there’s no reason why we can’t host long format cricket.”
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