Aussies look to north for help

Australia may host international matches during the off-season in the outback city of Darwin to cope with an increasingly crowded schedule.

"We have to look at other options and northern Australia is one," an Australian Cricket Board spokesman said.

The 2002 season - England and Sri Lanka will be on tour - will probably become even more cluttered, with an increasing possibility that Pakistan will tour. Australia's scheduled visit there is expected to be cancelled due to the war in Afghanistan.