Victoria has moved its final round match against NSW to 'home away from home' Alice Springs
Bushrangers set for return to red centre
Reigning Sheffield Shield champions Victoria will return to Alice Springs this summer, with their final match of the season moved to the red centre.
The Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers played two matches at Alice Springs' Traegar Park en route to the title last season, defeating Queensland and Tasmania. The Bushrangers will return to the venue to face the NSW Blues in the final match of the domestic season on March 15.
The match had been scheduled to be held at the MCG. However, that venue would be unavailable for the Shield final should Victoria earn the right to host it.
With the World T20 in India overlapping the Shield season, each state's international stars such as David Warner and Glenn Maxwell will not feature. However, pending Australia's squad for that T20 tournament, the Alice match could feature internationals such as Victorian quick Peter Siddle and New South Welshmen Josh Hazlewood, Peter Nevill and Nathan Lyon.
Cricket Victoria general manager of cricket Shaun Graf called Traegar Park the Bushrangers' " home away from home".
"The local community really got behind us last year so we're happy to be able to return again," Graf said.
"It's a rare opportunity for Northern Territory fans to see elite cricket in their own backyard with many international players from the two states to be playing in this match."
Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles was delighted to have first-class cricket back in the Alice.
"Alice Springs has become a second home for the Bushrangers, who are undefeated in both games they've played here," Giles said.
"This agreement is great for the community, helps grow participation at the grassroots level and showcases our first class sporting facilities."
Alice Springs is the centre of cricket for the Northern Territory, and plays host to the Imparja Cap, Australia's National Indigenous Cricket Carnival each year.
A venue for the Shield final, should current league leaders Victoria finish top of the table to earn hosting rights, will be decided in due course.