The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed the northern tropical cities of Darwin and Cairns as future Test venues. The ACB said Tests and one-day internationals will be played in northern Australia during the southern-hemisphere winter of 2003.

Chief executive James Sutherland said the ACB had scheduled the Australia-Bangladesh series for Darwin and Cairns between July and August 2003, subject to the final approval of the stadia by ICC.

Sutherland said: "With the international cricketing calendar becoming increasingly congested, the ACB has been searching for suitable facilities in Northern Australia."

The Northern Territory government recently announced a multi-million dollar upgrade of Marrara Oval, while the Cairns City Council and the Cairns Australian Football League are committed to the minor works identified by ICC in order to bring their venue up to the required standard.

Steve Waugh, Australia's Test captain, welcomed the opportunity to take his team to northern Australia. "To get the chance to play top level cricket in Darwin and Cairns is terrific," Waugh said in a statement. "The team hasn't played in this part of the country before and it will be a great opportunity to take cricket up to northern Australia where I know there is a lot of support for the Australian team."

Sutherland said the ACB was looking to schedule more international cricket in the north of Australia beyond next year. "Clearly with these two venues becoming available, the ACB will be looking to use them in the future."

Dates are still to be finalised, but the ACB confirmed that Darwin's Marrara Oval will host the first Test in early- to mid-July 2003, before the teams move to Cairns for the second Test and the first two one-day internationals in late July and early August.

A portable drop-in pitch will be prepared for the Darwin ground.

Bangladesh's visit to Cairns and Darwin is expected to be followed by Tests and one-day internationals against Zimbabwe in 2004, a World A team in 2005, Sri Lanka in 2006 and Zimbabwe again in 2007.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd