Australia A, Sri Lanka A Play First-Class Cricket in Northern Territory After 19 Years

First-class cricket is set to return to Darwin, Northern Territory, in July after a 19-year hiatus, with Australia A scheduled to play a series against Sri Lanka A. The series includes three 50-over matches followed by two four-day first-class games, all to be held at Marrara Stadium, the city's largest venue with a capacity of about 12,000 spectators. This return of first-class cricket marks the first senior Australian squad playing in the Northern Territory since 2006 and coincides with Australia's international fixtures and an upcoming Ashes summer, which adds significance to player selections. The Marrara Stadium matches will also serve as a test for the venue's potential to host future international Tests, including a proposed series against Bangladesh in 2026. Cricket Australia highlights the opportunity this series offers for emerging players to develop during the Australian winter, leveraging Darwin's dry season weather to facilitate year-round cricket. All five matches will be streamed live, underscoring the growing prominence of mid-year cricket events in the Northern Territory.