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Cricket Australia has confirmed that the historic 150th-anniversary Test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027 will be played as a day-night pink-ball fixture.
Scheduled for March 11-15, 2027, this will be the first-ever men’s day-night Test at the MCG, following the recent women’s Ashes Test at the venue, which was also played under lights.
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Historic Tribute to 150 Years of Test Cricket
The MCG has been the stage for several iconic moments in cricket history, including the first-ever Test match in 1877 and the centenary Test in 1977. Both of those matches were daytime, red-ball fixtures, but to mark the evolution of the game and maximize global viewership, the 2027 clash will be played under floodlights.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed his excitement about the occasion:
“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.”
“It will also help ensure more people are able to attend and watch what will be a fantastic occasion.”
Greenberg also reminisced about past landmark Tests, including the Centenary Test in 1977, which saw unforgettable moments like:
✅ David Hookes smashing five consecutive boundaries off Tony Greig.
✅ Rick McCosker bravely batting with a broken jaw.
✅ Derek Randall’s defiant century.
“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,” Greenberg added.
Cricket Australia also acknowledged the support of the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) in bringing this historic event to life.
Not Part of the WTC, But Part of a Packed Test Schedule
While the 150th-anniversary Test will not be included in the World Test Championship (WTC), it will be part of a busy Test season for Australia. The team is set to play:
📌 3 Tests in Sri Lanka
📌 3 home Tests against New Zealand
📌 5 Tests in India
Additionally, Australia will travel to England for the Ashes before taking part in the ODI World Cup in South Africa later in the year.
With history, tradition, and modern innovation coming together, the 2027 MCG Test under lights promises to be a truly special occasion for cricket fans worldwide.
