Test cricket fans are in for a treat in 2027 as the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is set to host a historic day-night Test between Australia and England. The one-off encounter, scheduled for March 11-15, will commemorate the 150th anniversary of men’s Test cricket.
The landmark fixture will mirror the recently concluded women’s Ashes Test, which was also played as a day-night pink-ball match at the MCG. However, it will differ from the historic 1877 inaugural Test and the Centenary Test in 1977, both of which were traditional red-ball matches played during the day. Interestingly, those two encounters ended identically, with Australia winning by 45 runs.
First pink-ball Test in Melbourne
This upcoming clash will break new ground as the first-ever men’s day-night Test hosted at the MCG, a move designed to increase crowd turnout and boost global viewership.
Cricket Australia’s chief executive Todd Greenberg expressed his gratitude to the Victorian state government and the Melbourne Cricket Club for backing the initiative. “The 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG will be one of the great cricket events, and playing under lights will be a fantastic way to celebrate both our game’s rich heritage and Test cricket’s modern evolution,” he stated. Greenberg also hoped the match would create unforgettable moments similar to the Centenary Test, which saw iconic performances like David Hookes’ boundary blitz and Rick McCosker’s heroic innings with a broken jaw.
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BGT also in the mix
The one-off Test is part of a jam-packed 2027 schedule for the Australian men’s cricket team. Before facing England, they will play a four-Test home series against New Zealand, followed by a five-match Test tour of India. Yes, another Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). The MCG match will coincide with the start of the 2027 IPL, slated to begin on March 14. Furthermore, should Australia qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, they will feature in the June title clash before heading to England for the 2027 Ashes series.
