The Australian capital’s 16,000-capacity Manuka Oval will host a Test match for the first time during the campaign, with exact details of opposition and dates yet to be revealed.

The facility in Canberra had three matches at the 2015 Cricket World Cup, which Australia jointly hosted by New Zealand, and will welcome their arch-rivals for its ninth one day international in December.

The development raises the possibility of Hobart, located in Tasmania, being axed from the schedule but a final decision has not been made, according to CA’s chief executive James Sutherland.

It is due to stage a Test clash with South Africa later this year and was the venue for a match against West Indies in December 2015.

“Over several years, Canberra has demonstrated a strong appetite for international cricket, with consistently strong crowds coming to Manuka Oval for One Day International matches,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland added: “Today’s announcement recognises the continued growth of the sport not only in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) but the wider region, and is a testament to the effort being placed on participation in the Territory with more than 32,000 playing cricket last season and this season on track for further increases.

"Part of our charter is to showcase the game to as many cricket fans around the nation to encourage growth, and with more than one million people living in the ACT and Southern New South Wales region, we believe there is a great advantage in Canberra hosting a Test match.”

ACT Government Chief Minister Andrew Barr described the news as a “big win” for cricket in the area.

“The ACT Government has invested significantly in Manuka Oval in recent years to ensure that the venue was well placed to host Test match cricket,” he said.

“Today's announcement is a big win for cricket fans in the Canberra region and for the city more broadly.”