TIO Stadium Drop-In Wicket Nursery

The nursery is a crucial piece of sporting infrastructure built next to the playing surface to allow for the easy creation, preparation and installation of drop-in cricket pitches in and out of TIO Stadium.  

The Territory Labour Government has invested $280,000 in the project as NT Cricket continues its push for the return of International Cricket to the Territory for the first time since 2008.  

TIO Stadium is the Northern Territory’s only International Cricket Council (ICC) Accredited Venue, however it has not hosted an international fixture since the Australian Men’s Team played Bangladesh in a One Day International (ODI) in September 2008.

NT Cricket installed one drop-in wicket into TIO Stadium in 2023 for the first time in 15 years, and this year NT Cricket will install two drop-in wickets into the venue ahead of the 2024 Top End T20 Series in August and as part of NT Cricket’s 'Cricket 365' Program.

Cricket 365 showcases the Territory as the only place in Australia that plays cricket all-year round, and it provides a global platform to promote and market the Territory as a destination of choice to live, work, study and play.

NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey said the creation of the nursey and installation of two drop in pitches this year is another important step towards Darwin hosting international cricket. 

“We know there is an opportunity to bring the Australian Men’s Team here in 2025 and 2026 and we know Cricket Australia wants to return to the Territory. 

“By playing Top End T20 Series fixtures at TIO Stadium in August we will again show we’ve built the infrastructure and we’re ready.  

“This year’s Top End T20 Series will include some of the biggest T20 Franchises and cricketing nations in the world and showcase the Territory as the only place in the country where you can play cricket 365 days a year.” 

More information on the 2024 edition of the Top End T20 Series will be announced shortly.