Cricket Australia has announced a special day-night Test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027. This unique fixture will celebrate the 150th anniversary of men’s Test cricket and will be played with a pink ball under lights.
The match is scheduled for March 11-15 and marks the first day-night men’s Test ever to be held at the MCG. Interestingly, the MCG recently hosted a women’s Ashes Test which was also a day-night game.
While the first-ever Test match in 1877 and the centenary Test in 1977, both held at the MCG, were traditional daytime red-ball matches, this 150th anniversary game will embrace the modern format of day-night cricket to allow more fans to attend and watch.
Todd Greenberg, CEO of Cricket Australia, emphasized the significance of the event, stating it will honor both the rich history and the modern evolution of Test cricket. He believes playing under lights will make this historic occasion more accessible to a wider audience.
Greenberg also reminisced about the Centenary Test and the memorable moments it produced, expressing his hope that the 150th Test will create equally lasting memories for cricket fans.
He highlighted the anticipation for this match, building on the excitement of the current Ashes series, and thanked the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club for their support in hosting this momentous Test match.
Although this Test is not part of the World Test Championship, it is a key fixture in a busy season for Australia, including series in Sri Lanka, against New Zealand at home, and in India, as well as the Ashes in England and the ODI World Cup in South Africa.
