Lloyd gives thumbs-up to Darwin Test cricket oval

DARWIN, Jan 27 AAP - International Cricket Council match referee Clive Lloyd today gave the green light to Darwin holding its first Test, a showdown between Australia and Bangladesh in July.

The former West Indian great was confident the ICC would accept his recommendation that Darwin's Marrara Oval be accredited for the Test which begins on July 18.

"I am sure that they will," Lloyd said.

"I must say I was very impressed by what I saw."

Lloyd made his first trip to Darwin to inspect progress on the $2.5 million upgrading of the oval which was undertaken by the Northern Territory government to Australian Cricket Board (ACB) specifications.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play a Test in Darwin and another in Cairns, in north Queensland starting on July 25 in the already ICC-accredited Bundaberg Rum Stadium.

The tourists will play one-day matches in Cairns on August 2 and 3 before returning to Darwin for a third on August 6.

Lloyd said minor improvements were still required in Darwin in relation to practice pitches and car parking.

ACB cricket operations general manager Richard Watson said both teams were looking forward to the two-Test series.

"They're (Australian players) very excited about it - its new frontiers for them both here and in Cairns," Watson said.

"It's a policy of the board to expand our national game to all over the country and at last it's coming into place."

Lloyd said Darwin's drop-in wicket, developed in consultation with the Melbourne Cricket Club, was the best option for the multi-purpose oval where AFL side Carlton will play an Aboriginal All Stars team on February 8.

NT Chief Minister Clare Martin said Darwin's dry season would ensure playing conditions wouldn't be a problem for the Test.

Martin said temperatures are expected to rise over 30 degrees but humidity would be low and rain virtually ruled out.

Darwin Test tickets will be one sale on March 10 and Cairns on March 8.