The Sydney Thunder will strike twice at Manuka Oval this season to bolster a season being hailed as "a coming of age for Canberra as a global cricket city".
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The Thunder will host two BBL games and one WBBL match in Canberra this summer as the club looks to cement a place in the capital's cricket calendar.
Fairfax Media revealed in July the Thunder will play a double header at Manuka on December 21, with their women to play the Hobart Hurricanes and the men to face the Melbourne Stars.
As expected, the club has struck a deal to host a second BBL game in Canberra, this time against ACT product Tom Rogers and the Hurricanes on February 9.
Thunder general manager Lee Germon says a return to Canberra was inevitable following the success of last season's clash in the capital.
"The support we received last season was incredible with a packed, noisy Manuka Oval providing a wonderful venue for some of the best cricketers in the world," Germon said.
"Canberra is a very important part of our Thunder nation. The club and Cricket NSW are extremely appreciative of the support provided by the ACT government and Events ACT to enable our fans from the region to enjoy the BBL and WBBL at Manuka Oval.
"With the men's competition expanding to a full home and away schedule this season it allows us to take two BBL fixtures to Canberra while also increasing the amount of games at Spotless Stadium to five."
Canberra's elite summer of cricket will be opened by a women's Twenty20 international when Meg Lanning leads Australia's hunt for a series whitewash against New Zealand on Friday.
The Prime Minister's XI will then host South Africa on October 31 before the WNCL, Sheffield Shield and BBL grace Manuka Oval ahead of Canberra's maiden Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka on February 1.
"Canberrans are in for a historic summer of cricket, with the upgraded Manuka Oval ready to host its maiden Test match when Australia take on Sri Lanka from 1 to 5 February," ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.
"The return of the Thunder nation to Canberra for blockbuster BBL action is another reason why this summer is a coming of age for Canberra as a global cricket city."
BBL tickets go on sale on Thursday with the Thunder banking on two bumper crowds in the capital.
CANBERRA'S SUMMER OF CRICKET
October 5: Women's Twenty20 international - Australia v New Zealand at Manuka Oval. Game three of a three-match series.
October 6: Cricket ACT premier season starts
October 31: Prime Minister's XI - Prime Minister's XI v South Africa at Manuka Oval.
November 9: ACT Meteors v Victoria at Manuka Oval.
November 11: ACT Meteors v Western Australia at Manuka Oval.
November 16-19: Sheffield Shield - NSW v Queensland at Manuka Oval.
December 21: WBBL - Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes at Manuka Oval. BBL - Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval.
February 1-5: Men's Test - Australia v Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval. Game two of a two-match series. Start time to be confirmed.
February 9: BBL - Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes at Manuka Oval.
