‘MCG to Host Night Match for Australia and England’
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is set to host a historic day-night test match between Australia and England from March 11 to 15, 2027, marking the 150th anniversary of test cricket. Cricket Australia confirmed that this will be the first-ever day-night men’s test at the MCG, adding to the stadium’s long history of hosting significant cricketing events.
The MCG, which staged the first-ever test match in 1877 and the centenary test in 1977, will once again be at the center of cricket history. On both previous occasions, Australia won by a margin of 45 runs, adding to the significance of this historic venue.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg highlighted the significance of the upcoming match, stating, “The 150th anniversary test at the MCG will be one of the greatest cricket events. Playing under lights is a fitting way to celebrate our sport’s rich history while embracing the modern evolution of test cricket. It will also allow more fans to attend and enjoy the spectacle of this historic occasion.”
Evolution of Day-Night Test Matches
Day-night test matches, played with a pink ball, were introduced in 2015 to make test cricket more accessible to a broader audience by allowing matches to be played in prime-time viewing hours. Since then, Australia has emerged as the dominant team in this format, winning 12 out of the 13 day-night tests held at home. The Adelaide Oval has hosted most of these matches, with the latest day-night test in Australia taking place in January.
Upcoming Cricket Calendar
Before the 150th anniversary match, Australia will host the 2025-26 Ashes series against England, starting in November 2025. Additionally, the Australian men’s team, fresh from their semifinal finish at the Champions Trophy, is set to defend its World Test Championship title in a final against South Africa in England in June 2025.
A Historic Milestone for Cricket
Cricket Australia aims to ensure that the 150th anniversary test match at the MCG creates iconic moments similar to the Centenary Test in 1977, which saw legendary performances, including David Hookes’ five consecutive boundaries off Tony Greig and Derek Randall’s defiant century.
For further details on cricket events and updates, visit Cricket Australia’s official website or follow developments on the International Cricket Council’s site.
