Cricket Australia confirms 150th anniversary Test as a pink-ball contest at MCG in 2027

Cricket Australia has announced that Australia and England will play a one-off Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of men's Test cricket. The clash will be a day-night encounter played under lights with a pink ball, as confirmed by Cricket Australia.

Australia and England played the first-ever Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1877. A century later, in 1977, the two international teams played a special one-off Test at the same venue to commemorate 100 years of Test cricket. Australia, led by Greg Chappell, won that Test match by 45 runs.

Australia-England 150th Anniversary Test to Be a Pink-Ball Day-Night Match

The Test match between Australia and England will be a day-night fixture at the MCG from March 11-15, 2027. It will be the first-ever men's pink-ball Test at the venue, which previously hosted a women’s Ashes pink-ball Test in 2024.

Cricket Australia wants to host the match with a pink ball to maximize crowd attendance, unlike the Boxing Day Test, which is held during holidays. The timing will also boost global TV ratings, making it more accessible to UK audiences.

This match will also be the next men's Test that will be played in an Australian home summer since the 1978-79 series against Pakistan, which concluded on March 29.

Will Be One of the Great Cricket Events - Cricket Australia's Chief Executive

Cricket Australia's newly appointed chief executive, Todd Greenberg, is excited about the 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG, calling it one of the great cricket events. He said that hosting it as a day-night fixture under lights would celebrate the game’s rich history and Test cricket's modern evolution.

"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," Greenberg said.

"It will also help ensure more people are able to attend and watch what will be a fantastic occasion."

"The Centenary Test created many iconic performances ... and I'm sure the 150th Test will create its own lifelong memories."

"This season's Ashes Series will whet the appetite for this clash in exactly two years, and we look forward to celebrating this historic occasion further as it draws nearer."

Australia Have a Packed Schedule in 2027

The Australian men’s cricket team has a packed schedule in 2027. They will play four home Tests against New Zealand in December 2026 and January 2027 before heading to India for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. After that, they will return home for the 150th Anniversary Test against England.

The one-off Test will not be part of the World Test Championship (WTC) but could impact Australia and England players’ availability for the IPL 2027. If Australia qualify for the WTC final, they will also play the summit clash in June.

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