Northline Oval scrapped due to poor pitch

Darwin's Northline Oval has been axed from the ongoing one-day quadrangular A-series due to a below-standard pitch. The venue hosted South Africa A's ten-run win over the National Performance Squad on Sunday but its remaining two games will be shifted to Marrara Cricket Ground and The Gardens.

"Unfortunately, the pitch at Northline Oval experienced some issues of variable bounce during Sunday's match between the National Performance Squad and South Africa A," Sean Cary, Cricket Australia's senior manager of cricket operations, said.

"Following an assessment of the pitch this morning we have taken the decision to relocate its remaining two matches in the series. The curators have done a very good job in the circumstances, but the pitch requires more work over the coming weeks to get to the standard required for international cricket."

Thursday's match between Australia A and South Africa A has been moved to Marrara, while next Tuesday's game between India A and the National Performance Squad has been shifted to The Gardens.