The Prime Minister's XI will revert to it's traditional one-day format when Canberra hosts to one of international cricket's powerhouses in South Africa.
It means Canberra fans will get a taste of all three formats with the Proteas set to meet the Prime Minister's XI in a day-night fixture at Manuka Oval on October 31.
All three matches will be broadcast live with the Mens International Test and Womens T201 available on Seven and Fox Cricket while the Prime Ministers XI will be broadcast on Fox Cricket.
The Test in Canberra will be the final instalment in a four-year deal between the ACT government and Cricket Australia to host international matches at Manuka Oval.
The deal met a fork in the road last year when Cricket Australia's condensed schedule did not allow for an international match in Canberra, but the void was filled by a Big Bash League Twenty20 game in January.
Australia will be without banned trio Steve Smith and David Warner when international cricket rolls into town, however Cam Bancroft would be eligible to make his return in the baggy green.
Cricket ACT officials are confident fans will continue to support the Australian team as the game recovers from the ball tampering saga that damaged reputations of players and officials.
The February Test marks the first time Australia has played a home Test so late in the summer since 1998 and is a bonus for Cricket Australia's $1.2 billion broadcast deal with Channel Seven and Fox Sports.
Channel Seven has the rights to the Australian Open for one more year and the extended summer of Tests has caused a schedule headache for officials.
The timing of Canberra's cricket content ensures there will be no clash with the Australian Open in welcome news for officials which means the capital gets bang for its buck in terms of national exposure.
Australia's clash with Sri Lanka in Canberra will be the second match in a two-Test series, with Brisbane slated to host a day-night Test at the Gabba on January 24, beginning at 1pm.
“We are very excited that Canberra continues to attract high quality International content and provide our supporters and fans with the opportunity to see the worlds best male and female cricketers in action,” Cricket ACT CEO Cameron French said.
“This coming summer will see three great cricketing nations right in our backyard, with New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa all set to play at Manuka Oval.
“Canberra cricket fans will have more opportunity than ever before to witness world-class cricket in person and be part of history at the very first International test match played at Manuka Oval.
“After the success of the Commonwealth Bank Womens Ashes matches in Canberra last year, where we had the largest crowd of the series, we are ecstatic to again host the Australian Womens Cricket Team.
“Canberrans had the incredible opportunity to witness Australia celebrate their Womens Ashes success last year and we are excited to see the team return.
“The Prime Ministers XI is a highlight on the Canberra sporting calendar and one that all cricket fans in the region look forward to.
“The game is being played earlier in the year than previous years which will allow for a true representative team without International or Big Bash League commitments preventing players from being involved.
“The Prime Ministers XI will also return to television broadcast for the first time in six years meaning more eyes will be on us and the broader Canberra region.”
Cricket Australia is hopeful the popular day-night Test against India in Adelaide will go ahead with start times to be confirmed for each match in that four-Test series.
The schedule for the Big Bash League and Women's BBL are yet to be confirmed, and Cricket ACT officials were hopeful of securing more games after the Sydney Thunder played at Manuka Oval in January.
More to come.
Canberra's summer of cricket in 2018-19:
October 5, 2018: Women's Twenty20 international – Australia v New Zealand, game three of a three-match series.
October 31, 2018: Prime Minister's XI – Prime Minister's XI v South Africa
February 1, 2019: Men's Test – Australia v Sri Lanka, game two of a two-match series. Start time to be confirmed.
Tickets for the Mens International matches on sale from 8 June with Womens International matches on sale from 3 August. The ticket sale date for the PMXI is TBA.
Full 2018-19 international schedule:
Women's Series v New Zealand
First T20: North Sydney Oval, September 29
Second T20: Allan Border Field, Brisbane, October 1
Third T20: Manuka Oval, Canberra, October 5
First ODI: WACA Ground, February 22
Second ODI: Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide, February 24
Tour match: Governor General's XI v New Zealand, Drummoyne Oval, February 28
Third ODI: Junction Oval, Melbourne, March 3
ODI Series v South Africa
Tour match: Prime Minister's XI v South Africa, Manuka Oval, Canberra, October 31
First ODI: Perth Stadium, November 4
Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, November 9
Third ODI: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, November 11
Only T20: Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast, November 17
India Men's tour of Australia
First T20: Gabba, November 21
Second T20: MCG, November 23
Third T20: SCG, November 25
First Test: Adelaide Oval, December 6-10
Second Test: Perth Stadium, December 14-18
Third Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fourth Test: SCG, January 3-7
First ODI: SCG, January 12
Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, January 15
Third ODI: MCG, January 18
Sri Lanka Men's tour of Australia
First Test: Gabba, January 24-28 (D/N)
Second Test: Manuka Oval, February 1-5
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Caden Helmers is a sports reporter for The Canberra Times
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