Parts of Manuka Oval will be construction zones when the Southern Stars host England in the last two matches of the women's Ashes series in Canberra in November.
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The ACT government has confirmed upgrades to Canberra's premier oval will start later this year and will likely continue until midway through 2018.
But the government is confident the work, which is expected to cost between $3 million and $10 million, won't affect its calendar of events and improve Manuka Oval's hosting credentials.
The government will commit money to the upgrades in the budget in June as part of a plan to improve the venue for a historic first men's Test between Australia and Sri Lanka at the end of next year.
The government started consultation with the public last week and upgrading Manuka Oval was part of Canberra's deal with Cricket Australia to meet the venue requirements to host a Test match.
Cricket Australia controversially omitted Canberra from its 2017-18 schedule despite having a deal to play in the capital every year from 2015-19.
Fairfax Media understands the construction of a new media facility at the southern end of the ground and improvements to amenities will not affect Canberra's hopes of top-level cricket in the 2017-18 summer.
Officials are still negotiating the potential of host a Big Bash League game next season in lieu of a one-day international or the original deal could be extended until 2020.
It is hoped a BBL match will bolster the schedule, which includes two women's Ashes Twenty20 matches in November and a Prime Minister's XI game against England in February.
Government officials concede construction work will be incomplete for the cricket matches and it will likely continue into the 2018 AFL season.
The GWS Giants have a 10-year agreement to play three premiership and one pre-season fixture in Canberra until 2021.
But it is hoped the work will have minimal impact on seating capacity for both sports given it will limited to the southern end of the ground.
The two Southern Stars' Twenty20 matches could decide the fate of the women's Ashes, currently held by Australia, given the multi-format points system in play for the series.
The points system awards teams two points for an ODI or T20 win and four points for victory in the four-day Test match, which will be played as a day-night fixture at North Sydney Oval.
Southern Stars bowler Lauren Cheatle is one of the brightest young talents in Australian cricket, and the 18-year-old is itching to test herself in the Ashes arena.
"There's always been a really fierce rivalry between Australia and England," Cheatle said.
"I think it's really great that games two and three are [in Canberra] - they're usually the most exciting games.
"They're definitely going to test us and we're really looking forward to playing down here in Canberra."
Canberra hosted the Southern Stars in two ODI's against South Africa in November, with household names Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry playing starring roles for the hosts.
The two matches and the PM's XI will be Canberra's only taste of international cricket next season, after the capital was squeezed out of the men's schedule with limited content in an Ashes summer.
2017-18 Women's Ashes Series
First ODI – AB Field, Brisbane – 22 October 2017
Second ODI – Coffs Harbour International Stadium – 26 October 2017
Third ODI – Coffs Harbour International Stadium – 29 October 2017
Test match (Day-Night) – North Sydney Oval – 9-12 November 2017
First T20 – North Sydney Oval – 17 November 2017
Second T20 – Manuka Oval, Canberra – 19 November 2017
Third T20 – Manuka Oval – 21 November 2017
