Photo Credit: Twitter Photo of @MCG
In 2027, cricket will celebrate 150 years since the first-ever Test match, and the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be the venue for this historic occasion. To mark this milestone, Cricket Australia has confirmed that the 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England will be played as a day-night match. The match will take place from March 11-15, 2027, making it the latest in the home summer for a men’s Test in Australia since the 1978-79 series against Pakistan.
The decision to host the Test as a day-night affair is designed to attract larger crowds and provide a unique atmosphere for this commemorative event. “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,” said Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia‘s chief executive. He also noted that the evening timing would allow more fans to attend, ensuring a larger audience for this special occasion. “It will also help ensure more people are able to attend and watch what will be a fantastic occasion.”
This match marks the first time the Australian men’s team will play a day-night Test at the MCG, following the success of the Women’s Ashes day-night Test there just the previous summer. The MCG’s new role as a day-night venue was solidified after its maiden night Test during the Women’s Ashes, which saw Australia secure an innings and 122-run victory.
The timing of the 150th Anniversary Test, in mid-March, is significant as it falls outside the typical school holiday period. It will also provide a prime opportunity for UK audiences to tune in, as the later start time will make it more convenient for early-rising fans in England to catch the final two sessions of play.
This Test will follow Australia’s five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India earlier that year, likely delaying the participation of both Australian and English players in the 2027 IPL, with the tournament running from March 14 to May 30.
The 150th Anniversary Test will surely evoke memories of the 1977 Centenary Test, a grand event held on the same ground, which was attended by a host of cricket legends. That match, like the one in 2027, celebrated the rich history between Australia and England, with a remarkable 45-run win for Australia, exactly mirroring the result of the inaugural 1877 Test.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II famously met the teams during the Centenary Test, and the crowd of over 50,000 witnessed incredible performances, including Derek Randall’s 174 for England and Dennis Lillee’s 11 wickets. The match is also remembered for iconic moments, such as Rick McCosker’s remarkable batting after suffering a broken jaw.
While the 1977 Centenary Test was not part of the Ashes series, it was a significant event, and its legacy lives on. The upcoming 150th Anniversary Test is expected to create similar memorable moments and performances. As Greenberg emphasized, “The Centenary Test created many iconic performances … and I’m sure the 150th Test will create its own lifelong memories.”
The anticipation for this historic event is already building. Cricket fans will be looking forward to what promises to be a remarkable celebration of Test cricket’s long history and its ongoing evolution. The 150th Anniversary Test is not only a nod to the past but also a look forward to the future of the game, combining tradition with modern-day excitement.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
