The Australian team take the field during day two of the Women’s Test match in the Ashes series between Australia and England at Manuka Oval on 28 January 2022. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.
Just when it appeared as though the ACT was seemingly out of the race to host international sport, two major announcements in the space of a week have put those fears to rest.
Cricket Australia has revealed that both the Australian men’s and women’s T20 teams will play games against India at Manuka Oval.
The Australian men’s side faces India on 29 October this year in Canberra in a nighttime fixture to kick off the three-game series pitting the top two countries in T20 cricket against each other.
The 2024 World champions, India, are ranked number one, just ahead of Australia.
The Australian women’s team takes on India on 19 February next year in the second game of the T20 series.
Australia is ranked number one in the world, with India at three.
Given the massive interest during the five-test Border-Gavaskar men’s series, considerable demand for tickets to both games is expected.
What is also becoming increasingly evident is the growth of the Indian community in Canberra, a community that is passionate about cricket in particular.
Cricket at Manuka Oval in 2021. Photo: Michael Weaver
The news comes a few days after Football Australia announced that the Matildas would be playing at Canberra Stadium in the second game of the series against Argentina on 2 June.
The announcements involving the Australian men’s and women’s cricket teams and the Matildas represent a major turnaround with the ACT Government facing criticism in the wake of missing the hosting of games during the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup and the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup.
Another aspect to this is the future of the PM’s XI cricket fixture, which appears to be diminishing in significance in a crowded calendar.
In recent years, the crowded calendar has searched for space for the PM’s XI. The format has continually changed in response, but a drop-off in support has resulted.
Personally, I believe the historical nature of the game should ensure that the PM’s XI remains in place. But if Canberra continues to secure international cricket and the calendar remains as cramped as it is now, the PM’s game could be jeopardised.
