Australia-England 150th anniversary Test in 2027 will be a pink-ball day-night match

In a significant announcement, Cricket Australia revealed that the historic Test match between Australia and England in March 2027 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be a pink-ball Day-Night match. This match is scheduled as part of the celebration of 150 years of men's Test cricket.

The Test will take place from March 11 to 15, 2027, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first-ever Test match, which was held at the MCG in 1877. The match will follow the Day-Night format, with a pink ball, similar to the recent Women's Ashes Test in Melbourne. However, this match will differ from the first men’s Test in 1877 and the 1977 Centenary Test, as both of those were played during the day with a red ball.

One of the reasons for this decision is to help increase attendance in Australia. Since the match will be played during a time when schools and workplaces are active, it will not coincide with the Boxing Day Test holiday period. Additionally, this will help boost global television ratings, as the Day-Night format will be more convenient for English audiences.

Cricket Australia’s new CEO, Todd Greenberg, expressed his gratitude towards the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club for their support. He stated, "The 150th anniversary Test at the MCG will be a historic cricket event, and playing it under lights is a fantastic way to celebrate. Not only will it celebrate the history of our game and the modern evolution of Test cricket, but it will also provide more people the chance to enjoy the match."

This Test is part of Australia’s busy 2027 calendar. After playing four Tests against New Zealand in December 2026 and January 2027, Australia will head to India for a five-match Test series. The historic Test against England in March 2027 will follow.

Although this standalone Test will not be part of the World Test Championship, if Australia reaches the final of the 2027 World Test Championship, they will play the final in June, followed by a five-match Ashes series.