Darwin is set to host an international cricket match for the first time in 17 years, with Cricket Australia planning two T20I games against South Africa in August. While the full schedule has not been announced, it is expected to be revealed by the end of March. South Africa’s tour of Australia will include six white-ball games—three T20Is and three ODIs.
The last time Darwin hosted international cricket was in 2008, when Australia faced Bangladesh in an ODI. According to the preliminary plan, Darwin will host the first two T20I games, Cairns will stage an ODI, and Mackay will host the final match of the series.
Gavin Dovey, CEO of Northern Territory Cricket, expressed excitement about bringing international cricket back to the region. He is confident that Cricket Australia will fully support the plan if Darwin secures the games.
“From the moment I arrived in 2023, I’ve been clear that our goal is to bring international cricket back to the Northern Territory,” Dovey told ESPNcricinfo. “The last time we hosted international cricket was 2008, and that’s far too long. The game has changed a lot since then—just look at the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy or cricket’s return to the 2028 Olympics as proof of its global reach.”
If confirmed, these matches will be historic as the first men’s T20Is played in the Northern Territory. Since Darwin last hosted an international game, Australia has held 536 men’s and women’s matches across 27 venues.
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Darwin has been growing its presence in late-winter cricket through domestic 20-over competitions and Big Bash League games. The August schedule is particularly important as it coincides with Australia’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, set to take place in this period in 2026.
“We have an incredible winter cricket window that offers significant benefits to both Australian cricket and the Northern Territory,” Dovey said. “Cricket Australia is eager to explore this potential, and the NT Government understands the economic and community impact of hosting international cricket stars. Hopefully, we can make this happen and kick off Australia’s international summer in Darwin,” he concluded.
