Melbourne, May 21 -- First-class cricket is set to make a long-awaited return to Darwin after nearly two decades, with Australia A scheduled to face Sri Lanka A in a multi-format series this July. This will be the first time since 2006 that Darwin hosts a first-class match, when Australia A played Pakistan A and India A took on New Zealand A, reported ESPNcricinfo.

The upcoming series will feature three 50-over matches followed by two four-day games. It marks another step forward in Darwin's re-emergence as a host of top-tier cricket, with the city also set to stage the first two T20Is of Australia's home series against South Africa in August.

The first four-day match against Sri Lanka A will be played on a drop-in pitch at Marrara Stad...