Australia and England will face off in a historic day-night Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2027 to mark 150 years of Test cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced this.
A statement from Cricket Australia said that the pink-ball Test match will be held from March 11 to 15, 2027. This will be the first time that the Australian men’s team will play a day-night Test at the historic ground.
The MCG is an integral part of cricket history. The first Test match between the two countries was played at this ground in 1877. To celebrate the centenary of the game, Australia and England played the Centenary Test at the same ground in 1977, which Australia won by 45 runs — the same margin as the previous match. The second Centenary Test was held at Lord’s in 1980 to commemorate the first Test match played in England in 1880.
The upcoming 150th anniversary Test will be a grand affair. It will celebrate the rich past and present evolution of cricket.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said: “The 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG will be one of the biggest events in cricket. It’s a great way to celebrate the heritage of cricket played under lights and the modern form of Test cricket.”
He added: “It will increase the attendance and ensure a great match.”
Earlier this year, the Australian women’s team played the first day-night Test at the MCG, as part of the Women’s Ashes against England.
Greenberg also recalled memorable moments from the Centenary Test, including David Hooks’ five consecutive boundaries off Tony Gregg, Rick McCusker’s batting with a broken jaw and Derek Randall’s century. “I’m sure the 150th Anniversary Test will be one to remember for a lifetime,” he said.
