New Zealand A men is set to make its first appearance in the Study NT Top End T20 Series, taking place in Darwin next month.
The 2026 tournament will feature nine teams across 11 days of T20 cricket, with each side scheduled to play six regular-round matches before a top-four finals series.
The visit to Darwin adds another international pathway program to a tournament that has built its identity around national teams, high performance teams and T20 franchises.
The August “winter” timing of the Top End T20 Series continues to prove perfect for visiting international teams, who get invaluable competitive T20 cricket in Australian conditions.
The announcement adds a new trans-Tasman audience to the Study NT Top End T20 Series and another opportunity for Northern Territory Cricket to use the tournament as a vehicle to market and promote the Northern Territory as a destination, with New Zealand consistently ranking as a top international market for the NT and yielding around $29 million in annual expenditure.
Northern Territory Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey said New Zealand A’s inclusion is a strong addition.
“New Zealand Cricket and the BLACKCAPS program are among the most highly respected in world cricket.
“For a small country, they produce a hell of a lot of world-class cricketers and compete at the highest level in all formats.
“NZC has made it clear they are sending a very strong A squad across the ditch. They are coming to win it.”
NZC Head of High Performance Development Pete Sanford welcomed New Zealand A's invite to compete in the tournament.
"This is a great playing opportunity for our New Zealand A men," said Sanford.
“From a high performance perspective, Top End provides high level T20 cricket ahead of our home summer to players who are deeper in the succession plan.
“We’re grateful to North Territories Cricket for the invitation to be involved in this fantastic opportunity.”