Oz cricket team to play maiden international match in Canberra for centenary celebration

London, June 8(ANI): The Australian cricket team will play an international match in Canberra for the first time in the city's 100 year history early next year, against either the West Indies or Sri Lanka.

The historic match is set to be played as a day-night fixture, with Australia Capital Territory (ACT) Sports Minister Andrew Barr committed to installing lights at Manuka Oval.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland and Barr made the announcement at Manuka Oval on Friday.

"We're intending to bring the Australian cricket team to Canberra to celebrate the Centenary as part of the Commonwealth Bank series," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Sutherland, as saying.

"We've had discussions with the ACT Government about the Centenary for a long time and we're delighted in partnering with them to bringing the Australian team here next summer. For us to be able to play a day-night match here is very significant," he added.

The ACT Government has been negotiating to bring the Australian cricket team to Canberra as part of the city's 2013 Centenary celebrations.

Sutherland said the match was a one-off but it hoped it led to Canberra being included on the international calendar for future years.

"At this stage it's a one-off. It's one step at a time, let's get the lights up, let's get the Australian team here. There's plenty of opportunities down the track," Sutherland said. (ANI)