The ACT Comets will commence their 2024/2025 campaign in the Northern Territory again, while Asian powerhouses Pakistan and Bangladesh will both field representative teams in the upcoming Top End T20 Series in Darwin.
The Pakistan Shaheens, who finished runners-up in last year’s competition, are returning for the 2024 edition and will be joined by a Bangladesh High Performance squad.
As announced by Northern Territory Cricket last week, the Top End T20 Series will expand to a nine-team tournament, up from six teams in 2023.
The influx of domestic talent is led by the five-time KFC BBL Champion Perth Scorchers, while the Adelaide Strikers and Tasmanian Tigers will also field teams for the first time.
Defending champions the NT Strike, ACT Comets and Academy sides from the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars round out the competition.
The Top End T20 is the marquee event of the Cricket 365 program which showcases the next generation of Australian players continuing their progression to domestic and international cricket.
Last year Jake Fraser-McGurk and Will Sutherland lit up the Top End T20 before springboarding into the domestic season and earning international debuts during the summer.
Jono Dean, ACT Comets Head Coach said:
“Being our first year back in the Second XI competition, being exposed to that increased level in the Top End Series was huge for us. It exposed our group to good fast bowling, good spin, played on some really good wickets, and so learning to compete was a real focus for us.
“We certainly want to compete again up in Darwin this year, but we want to start to compete to win games of cricket. It will be a challenge for us, but we're looking forward to it.”
Gavin Dovey, NT Cricket CEO said:
“We’re thrilled the Top End T20 Series will expand this year and continue to bring the best emerging domestic and international talent to the Northern Territory.”
“To have two cricket powerhouses in Pakistan and Bangladesh now participating alongside half of the Big Bash League Franchises is a testament to the potential of winter cricket in the Territory.”
Beginning on Friday, 9 August, the nine teams will battle it out across 30 action-packed T20s and 10 days of cricket across multiple venues.
Each team will play six fixtures during the round robin ahead of the Finals Day on Sunday, 18 August.
Broadcast information and squads for the tournament will be announced shortly.
2024 Top End T20 fixture
Friday, 9 August
6.00pm: Northern Territory vs. Perth Scorchers | DXC Arena
Saturday, 10 August
10.00am: Melbourne Renegades vs. Melbourne Stars | DXC Arena
3.00pm: Perth Scorchers vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena
6.00pm: Tasmania vs. Adelaide Strikers | TIO Stadium
Sunday, 11 August
10.00am: Bangladesh HP vs. Melbourne Renegades | Gardens Oval
1.00pm: Adelaide Strikers vs. Northern Territory | Gerry Wood Oval
3.00pm: Pakistan Shaheens vs. Melbourne Stars | Gardens Oval
Monday, 12 August
10.00am: Tasmania vs. Northern Territory | TIO Stadium
2.00pm: Perth Scorchers vs. ACT Comets | DXC Arena
6.00pm: Tasmania vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium
Tuesday. 13 August
10.00am: Melbourne Stars vs. Adelaide Strikers | Cazaly’s Arena
1.00pm: Northern Territory vs. Melbourne Renegades | DXC Arena
3.00pm: Melbourne Stars vs. ACT Comets | Cazaly’s Arena
6.00pm: Tasmania vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena
Wednesday, 14 August
10.00am: Melbourne Renegades vs. Perth Scorchers | Cazaly’s Arena
1.00pm: Adelaide Strikers vs. Bangladesh HP | DXC Arena
3.00pm: Melbourne Renegades vs. Tasmania | Cazaly’s Arena
6.00pm: Northern Territory vs. Melbourne Stars | DXC Arena
Thursday, 15 August
1.00pm: ACT Comets vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium
3.00pm: Perth Scorchers vs. Adelaide Strikers | Gardens Oval
6.00pm: Melbourne Renegades vs. Pakistan Shaheens | TIO Stadium
Friday, 16 August
10.00am: Tasmania vs. Melbourne Stars | TIO Stadium
2.00pm: ACT Comets vs. Northern Territory | Gardens Oval
6.00pm: Pakistan Shaheens vs. Bangladesh HP | TIO Stadium
Saturday, 17 August
10.00am: ACT Comets vs. Adelaide Strikers | DXC Arena
2.00pm: Bangladesh HP vs. Perth Scorchers | TIO Stadium
6.00pm: ACT Comets vs. Pakistan Shaheens | DXC Arena
Sunday, 18 August
10.00am: Semi-Final 1 | DXC Arena
10.00am: Semi-Final 2 | TIO Stadium
4.00pm: Final | DXC Arena