By Nick Creely

Marrara Stadium’s recently re-introduced drop-in surface will be put to the ultimate test ahead of an official return to international cricket later this year with an Australia A and Sri Lanka A Top End Series to be staged in July.

The Top End Series, which will feature three one-day matches and two four-day matches, will be held at the Marrara-based complex, which features four games at Marrara Cricket Ground (DXC Arena) and a four-day game at Marrara Stadium (TIO Stadium). The games will be given first-class status, ending a gap of 19 years in Darwin.

Marrara Stadium (pictured right) re-introduced drop-in wickets into the ground for the ICC Under 19 World Cup East Asia-Pacific qualifier tournament in July 2023 with NT Cricket head of facilities and head curator Jake Pavlich and his crew expected to have their work cut off for them ahead of the crunch fixture. 

International eyes will be closely monitoring how the surface and outfield fares for the four-day game, to be held from July 13-16, with Australia to host South Africa for two T20Is in August at TIO Stadium.

However, it is also expected to form part of a key assessment of the stadium’s suitability to host one of two Test matches against Bangladesh which are slated to be held in northern Australia in August 2026, having been moved from March 2027 due to the 150th anniversary Test between Australia and England at the MCG.

Darwin’s dry season weather between May and September is being seen as a viable long-term option to stage international cricket and provide development opportunities for the next crop of men's and women's players.

"It's fantastic to confirm a multi-format series which gives the next crop of emerging cricketers excellent development opportunities throughout the Australian winter," Peter Roach, CA's head of cricket operations and scheduling, said. "Darwin's dry season weather between 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."

The last time first-class cricket was staged in Darwin was 2006 when Australia A played Pakistan A and India A faced New Zealand A.

Australia A vs Sri Lanka A - Darwin
July 4: First 50-over match | Marrara Cricket Ground (D/N)
July 6: Second 50-over match | Marrara Cricket Ground
July 9: Third 50-over match | Marrara Cricket Ground
July 13 - 16: First four-day match | Marrara Stadium
July 20 - 23: Second four-day match | Marrara Cricket Ground

 

Images supplied by NT Cricket