Australia and England to Host Groundbreaking Day-Night Test at MCG for 150th Test Cricket Jubilee

Melbourne, March 11 (NationPress) Australia and England are set to engage in a historic day-night Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027, as announced by Cricket Australia on Tuesday. "The 150th Anniversary Test from March 11-15, 2027 will mark the inaugural occasion for the Australian men's team to play a Test under lights at the MCG, a venue that hosted the very first Test match in 1877 and the Centenary Test in 1977, both of which were remarkably won by Australia by 45 runs," stated the announcement.

This event will be the first day-night men’s Test match at the MCG, following the groundbreaking first day-night Test at the same venue earlier this year, where Australia’s women achieved a clean sweep in the Ashes.

Cricket Australia emphasized that holding the Test as a day-night match will facilitate greater attendance and viewership for the 150th Anniversary Test, as it will occur outside of the school holiday period.

“The 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG is poised to be one of the most significant cricket events, and playing under lights will be an excellent way to honor both our sport’s rich history and the contemporary evolution of Test cricket. It will also ensure that a larger audience can experience what promises to be a remarkable occasion,” said CA chief executive Todd Greenberg in a statement.

“The Centenary Test featured numerous iconic performances, including David Hookes hitting five consecutive boundaries off Tony Greig, Rick McCosker batting with a broken jaw, and Derek Randall’s resolute century. I am confident that the 150th Test will generate its own unforgettable memories.

“This season’s Ashes series will build anticipation for this encounter in two years, and we eagerly await further celebrations as the date approaches. We extend our gratitude to the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club for their tremendous support in hosting this significant Test match,” he added.

The 150th Anniversary Test is scheduled to take place after Australia’s five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India that year. Following this landmark match at the MCG, the team will travel to England for the Ashes and potentially a World Test Championship final. The year will conclude with the World Cup in South Africa.

“With the increasingly complex international schedule, organizing an event of this magnitude requires substantial planning and support. We appreciate everyone involved, particularly the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Victorian Government, for their enthusiasm in hosting this monumental Test match. The 150th Anniversary Test promises to be a spectacular event, akin to the 1977 Centenary Test, that will be fondly remembered by all who attend,” stated Peter Roach, CA Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling.