Canberra is set to host the Australian cricket team for the first time in the city's 100-year history, with negotiations all but finalised for a two-match limited-over international series in April next year.
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ACT Sports Minister Andrew Barr said dates and details were yet to be locked in, but the ACT Government expects to confirm within the next fortnight that the Australian team will play two matches at Manuka Oval as part of Canberra's centenary celebrations.
The Canberra Times understands the matches – comprising either Twenty20 or 50-over games – will be against New Zealand in the first week of April.
The matches would be played as day or twilight games, given daylight saving extends until April 7 next year and Manuka would not yet have the required lighting to host night matches.
While Canberra is the traditional home to the Prime Minister's XI tour match, which has included Australian representative players, it has never hosted the Australian national team.
Mr Barr said it would be a historic occasion, but added he wanted it to be the foundation for more international cricket in Canberra.
"We're looking at the centenary year as not just a one-off big party, it's about setting the groundwork for longer-term legacies," Mr Barr said.
"There certainly was interest from Cricket Australia as a longer-term goal to look at having more international cricket in Canberra and they're seeing the centenary year as a great opportunity," Mr Barr said.
"This is obviously a big thing for Canberra, we've never had the national team in the national capital so Cricket Australia, the Australian government, the ACT government were all very keen for that to occur and have worked very hard behind the scenes to get us to this point."
Mr Barr conceded it would be difficult for Canberra to bid for a Test match, given the scheduling would require one of the established Australian states to relinquish its rights.
However, he hoped that hosting the Australian team could aid Canberra's push for a future team in the Twenty20 Big Bash League.
"That's in the hands of Cricket Australia around their expansion plans, they've been prudent in not wanting to expand too quickly but they have been clear with us that there will be an opportunity to put forward a bid," Mr Barr said.
"I think it'd be fantastic if Canberra could be part of it. But like our approach to A-League [soccer] and some of these other national competitions, we've got to ensure we've got a robust business plan together and ensure the team's viable in the long term."
The ACT government has been in negotiations with several national sporting bodies about bringing marquee events to Canberra as part of centenary celebrations.
It has already been announced the ACT Brumbies will play the British and Irish Lions on June 18 at Canberra Stadium, negotiations are well advanced about a netball test match involving the Australian team.
The government has also been in talks with the Australian Rugby League, Football Federation Australia and the Australian Rugby Union.
"I think it's just a reflection of the city growing up," Mr Barr said. "We're 100 next year and part of that is being mature enough and economically able to host these types of sporting events."
