Cricket fans are in for a special treat as Australia and England, two of the world’s oldest cricketing nations, are set to face off in a historic 150th anniversary Test match. The one-off Test will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from March 11 to March 15, 2027. This special event will celebrate 150 years since the first-ever Test match was played between the two nations in 1877 at the same venue.
Pink Ball to be Used for the 150th Anniversary Test
Cricket Australia has confirmed that this commemorative Test match will be played as a day-night game with a pink ball. This marks a significant change from previous milestone matches, where the red ball was used. The first-ever Test match in 1877 and the centenary Test in 1977 both featured the traditional red ball. However, to bring a new dimension to the historic occasion, a pink ball will be introduced for the 2027 match.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg stated, “The 150th anniversary Test at the MCG will be a landmark event in cricket history. Hosting this as a day-night Test will enhance the excitement and allow more fans to witness this spectacle under the lights.”
Match Not Included in World Test Championship (WTC) Schedule
The anniversary Test match will be a standalone event and will not be part of the World Test Championship (WTC). However, it will be one of 12 Test matches that Australia will play in the 2027 season. Other matches in the season include:
- Three Tests against Sri Lanka
- Three Tests against New Zealand
- Five-Test series against India
Additionally, Australia will travel to England for the Ashes series and later participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Cricket Australia’s Long-Term Plan for Major Matches
Cricket Australia’s former CEO Nick Hockley had first hinted at this match seven months ago in September 2024. Speaking about the plans, he said, “The 150th anniversary Test at the MCG will be a defining moment in cricket history. We are excited to welcome England for this historic occasion.”
Hockley also emphasized that Cricket Australia has been working on a long-term plan to ensure major cricketing events take place at premier venues across the country over the next seven years.
“We are thrilled to announce a long-term hosting strategy that secures world-class cricketing action at the best venues in Australia,” he added.
Previous 100-Year Anniversary Test at MCG
The upcoming match in 2027 is not the first time Australia and England have played a milestone Test. The two teams also faced off in a centenary Test at the MCG in 1977, marking 100 years of Test cricket. Interestingly, Australia won that match by exactly 45 runs, the same margin by which they had won the inaugural Test in 1877.
With such a rich history between the two nations, the 150th anniversary Test promises to be another memorable chapter in cricket’s legacy.
Upcoming Ashes and Schedule Adjustments
The 2030-31 season will bring some changes to Australia’s Test schedule. Cricket Australia has confirmed the hosting of major matches at specific venues for the next seven years:
- Boxing Day Test (December 26-30) will remain at the MCG
- New Year’s Test will continue to be played at the SCG
- Pre-Christmas Test will be hosted in Adelaide
- First Test of the season will be held in Perth (for at least the next three years)
Notably, this means that the next Ashes series in Australia will begin in Perth instead of Brisbane’s Gabba, which traditionally hosts the opening Test. The shift is due to ongoing construction at the Gabba as part of preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. As a result, fewer Test matches are expected to be played at the Gabba in the coming years.
With such a historic match lined up for 2027, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to an unforgettable encounter between Australia and England at the iconic MCG. The 150th anniversary Test will not only celebrate the sport’s rich history but also bring fans a unique day-night experience with the pink ball under lights.
