Australia unveil special green-gold Test kit for 150th Anniversary match at MCG
Synopsis
Cricket Australia have unveiled a one-off green-and-gold Test whites kit for the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG on 11 March 2026 — a match that is already sold out for its first three days. The strip pays tribute to the 1868 Aboriginal XI through Aunty Fiona Clarke's 'Land & Sea' artwork, blending a century and a half of cricket history with modern identity.
Key Takeaways
Cricket Australia unveiled the special anniversary Test kit on Monday , exactly 150 days before the match begins on 11 March 2026 .
The kit features a green placket and gold detailing on the collar, seams, and buttons, replacing standard golden wattle trimmings.
Indigenous artwork titled 'Land & Sea' by Aunty Fiona Clarke on the shoulders pays tribute to the 1868 Aboriginal XI .
All public tickets for the first three days of the day-night, pink-ball Test have already sold out.
Pat Cummins' Australia face up to 21 Tests in 12 months , with series against South Africa, New Zealand, and India preceding the MCG clash.
Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday, 13 October 2025 unveiled a limited-edition Test whites kit that Australia will wear for the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), scheduled to begin on 11 March 2026. The reveal was timed to coincide with exactly 150 days to go until the historic match.
What the Special Kit Looks Like
The commemorative strip retains the traditional white base but replaces the standard golden wattle trimmings with a bolder gold tone, while a green placket has been introduced at the front of the shirt. Gold detailing adorns the collar, piping along the side seams of the shirt and pants, and the buttons. A dedicated anniversary Test logo in gold sits on the sleeve alongside the badge of kit manufacturer Asics.
Indigenous Artwork Takes Centre Stage
Beyond the colour changes, the kit retains the Indigenous artwork featured on the shoulders since its original release in the 2025-26 summer. The artwork, titled 'Land & Sea,' was created by renowned Aboriginal artist Aunty Fiona Clarke. It incorporates the Walkabout Wickets motif and is designed as a tribute to the 1868 Aboriginal XI — Australia's first-ever touring cricket team, which travelled to England over 150 years ago. The inclusion of the artwork adds a layer of cultural and historical significance to what is already a landmark fixture.
Sold-Out Start for a Day-Night Blockbuster
The anniversary Test will be played as a day-night match with the pink ball, and demand has already been extraordinary. All public tickets for the first three days of the match have sold out, underlining the enormous public interest in a fixture that marks one and a half centuries of Test cricket between two of the game's oldest rivals.
Australia's Gruelling 12-Month Test Schedule
The MCG showpiece arrives at the tail end of a punishing stretch for Pat Cummins' side. Australia are currently engaged in a three-Test series in South Africa, after which they will host New Zealand for four Tests on home soil before travelling to India for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The 150th Anniversary Test against England will then bring the curtain down on a cycle that includes up to 21 Tests in a 12-month period beginning in August. The relentless fixture list raises questions about player workload management ahead of what promises to be one of the most high-profile Tests in recent MCG history.
Point of View
CA is threading a direct line between the very origins of Australian touring cricket and its modern identity — a rare instance of a commemorative kit carrying genuine historical weight rather than mere marketing novelty. The sold-out first three days also signal that the MCG showpiece, slotted at the back end of a gruelling 21-Test cycle, risks being played by a physically depleted Australian squad. The fixture's historic billing deserves a contest at full intensity; whether the fixture calendar allows for that remains the real question administrators should be answering.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England?
The 150th Anniversary Test is a landmark one-off Test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, scheduled for 11 March 2026. It commemorates 150 years of Test cricket, the first of which was played between the two nations in Melbourne in 1877.
What is special about Australia's kit for the 150th Anniversary Test?
Cricket Australia have designed a limited-edition Test whites featuring a green placket and enhanced gold detailing on the collar, seams, and buttons. The kit also carries the anniversary Test logo in gold on the sleeve and retains Indigenous artwork titled 'Land & Sea' by Aunty Fiona Clarke as a tribute to the 1868 Aboriginal XI.
Is the 150th Anniversary Test sold out?
All public tickets for the first three days of the match have already been sold. The Test will be played as a day-night fixture with the pink ball at the MCG.
How busy is Australia's Test schedule leading up to the MCG match?
Australia are playing up to 21 Tests in a 12-month period beginning in August. Before the anniversary Test, they will complete a series in South Africa, host New Zealand for four Tests, and then travel to India for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Who is the artist behind the Indigenous artwork on Australia's Test kit?
The artwork, titled 'Land & Sea,' was created by renowned Aboriginal artist Aunty Fiona Clarke. It features the Walkabout Wickets motif and honours the 1868 Aboriginal XI — the first Australian team to tour England.
