Darwin will once again echo with the sound of bat on ball as first-class cricket returns to the Top End for the first time in nearly two decades. Australia A is set to host Sri Lanka A in a multi-format series this July, with five matches scheduled across Marrara Cricket Ground and Marrara Stadium.
The series includes three 50-over games and two four-day matches, offering a rare mid-year showcase for developing talent. Cricket Australia has confirmed that all fixtures will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au, giving fans a front-row seat no matter where they are.
The schedule kicks off with a day-night one-dayer on 4 July and concludes with a four-day fixture ending on 23 July. The matches not only mark a return to elite cricket in the Northern Territory but also reaffirm its value as a winter venue—something CA’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling, Peter Roach, is keen to highlight.
“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,” Roach said.
“Hosting these matches, and especially a match at Marrara Stadium, gives status to the series ahead of the 2025-26 international season.”
The announcement comes ahead of another fixture for Darwin—Australia’s men’s national team will take on South Africa in two T20 internationals at Marrara Stadium in August. These are scheduled for Sunday 10 and Tuesday 12 August and mark the official start of the 2025–26 home season.
Cricket fans keen to attend any of the games will be able to access pre-sale tickets from 3 June, with general sale opening on 13 June.
The Australia A squad is yet to be named, but the series is likely to feature emerging players vying for national selection. With many of the country’s top young cricketers returning from county stints or training camps, the matches offer a platform for those looking to stake a claim ahead of the busy summer calendar.
The fixtures are as follows:
- July 4: First 50-over match (D/N), Marrara Cricket Ground
- 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
Cricket Australia has been working to make better use of Australia’s northern climate for off-season matches, and this series follows that blueprint. The Top End previously hosted Australia A matches in the early 2000s, but this is the first time since 2006 that Darwin will feature a four-day first-class match.
For local fans and visiting supporters, the event is an invitation to witness elite cricket in a region that often sits outside the national spotlight. For players, it’s a rare July audition under the watchful eye of selectors.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
