Melbourne, Australia – Australia will play England in a landmark day-night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Test cricket. The historic match, scheduled for March 11-15, 2027, commemorates the first-ever Test match between the two teams in 1877.
The event will mark the first time the MCG hosts a men’s day-night Test, following the successful women’s Ashes pink ball clash held at the venue in 2024. Cricket Australia (CA) announced the match on Tuesday, emphasizing its significance in honoring the game’s legacy while embracing modern cricket advancements.
A Landmark Cricket Event
Todd Greenberg, the newly-appointed chief of Cricket Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the milestone Test.
“The 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG will be one of the great cricket events,” Greenberg stated. “Playing under lights will be a fantastic way to celebrate both our game’s rich heritage and Test cricket’s modern evolution.”
The highly anticipated event comes just two years after the ongoing 2025 Ashes series, fueling excitement among cricket fans. Greenberg added, “This season’s Ashes series will whet the appetite for this clash in exactly two years, and we look forward to celebrating this historic occasion further as it draws nearer.”
Historic Significance of the MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground holds deep historical importance in Test cricket. The first Test match ever played took place at the venue in March 1877, with Australia defeating England by 45 runs. The upcoming anniversary match aims to honor that legacy while showcasing the evolution of the sport.
This will not be the first milestone match hosted at the MCG. In 1977, the ground witnessed the Centenary Test, which also featured Australia and England. In a fitting tribute to history, Australia, led by Greg Chappell, won by 45 runs—the same margin as the inaugural Test match a century prior.
Blockbuster Summer of Cricket in 2027
The 150th Anniversary Test will be part of an action-packed home season for Australia. Prior to the historic clash, the Australian team will host India in a five-Test series, ensuring an exciting summer of cricket for fans worldwide.
Australia and England will rekindle their storied rivalry as part of the ongoing Test cricket calendar. The last Ashes series saw intense battles between the two teams, and this historic day-night Test is expected to bring similar excitement under the iconic lights of the MCG.
The Evolution of Day-Night Test Cricket
Day-night Test matches have grown in popularity since the first pink ball Test was played in 2015 between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide. The format has been well received, with fans enjoying the extended play hours and the unique challenge posed by the pink ball under floodlights.
While the MCG has previously hosted women’s day-night Tests, the 2027 clash will be the first time the historic venue stages a men’s pink-ball Test. The move aligns with efforts to modernize Test cricket while maintaining its traditional appeal.
With two years remaining until the historic event, Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are expected to roll out more details regarding the match, including ticketing and special commemorations. Fans can look forward to an electrifying encounter that honors Test cricket’s deep-rooted history while embracing its future.
Cricket lovers worldwide can follow updates on this historic event at Daljoog News as the countdown to March 2027 begins.