The international home schedule is due to be announced next week. But a well-placed source confirmed Sri Lanka was heading south, though they could not confirm the exact date.
The Sri Lankan men’s team was last in Dunedin in 2023 for the T20 match.
They also played two ODIs and a test here in 2015.
The Black Caps are unbeaten in all three formats against all-comers at the venue. The University Oval is to the Black Caps what Eden Park is to the All Blacks — impregnable.
There have been many memorable moments.
Black Caps fast bowler Shane Bond took five wickets in his last test.
Otago’s Hamish Rutherford clobbered 171 on his test debut.
Ross Taylor bashed 181 not out to help the Black Caps edge England in an ODI, which went down to the last over in 2018.
Finn Allen blasted 137 in a T20 international against Pakistan in 2024. That knock included 16 sixes.
And the venue hosted three ODI World Cup games in 2015 and three women’s World Cup games in 2022.
The revelation Sri Lanka are returning to Dunedin will be welcome news. But, unfortunately, it also appears the long wait for a test match will continue.
The last test at the boutique venue was against South Africa in March, 2017 — nine years ago.
The University Oval hosted eight tests between 2008 and 2017. But the development of Hagley Oval in Christchurch and the rise of Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui have led to the University Oval dropping off the test roster.
There have, however, been plenty of international fixtures staged at the ground since 2017.
But there is a sense the venue is no longer considered for tier-one events.
