Cricket Australia has confirmed plans for a one-off Test between Australia and England at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027, marking the 150th anniversary of men’s Test cricket. The game will be a pink-ball, day-night fixture, scheduled for March 11-15, and will commemorate the first-ever Test match, which took place at the same venue between the two sides in 1877.
The decision to play under lights represents a departure from tradition, as both the inaugural Test and the Centenary Test in 1977 were played during the day with a red ball. Interestingly, both of those matches ended with identical results, with Australia winning by 45 runs. The upcoming match, however, will make history as the first men’s day-night Test played at the MCG.
A major factor behind the shift to a day-night format is to accommodate fans both locally and internationally. With the match falling during Australia’s school and work term, playing under lights is expected to attract larger crowds. Additionally, the schedule is designed to boost television viewership, particularly in England, where the third session will be available for fans to watch in the early morning hours.
The one-off Test comes amid a packed 2027 schedule for the Australian men’s team. The Aussies will face New Zealand in a four-match home Test series from December 2026 to January 2027 before heading to India for a five-Test series.
While the Test itself will not count toward the World Test Championship (WTC), should Australia qualify for the 2027 final, they will travel to England in June for another shot at the title before facing the English side in a five-match Ashes series. Later in the year, they will also compete in the 2027 ODI World Cup, set for October and November.
With the rich history between Australia and England in Test cricket, the 150th Anniversary Test at the MCG is expected to be a grand occasion, blending nostalgia with the modern spectacle of a day-night contest. Fans will be hoping for another classic to add to the legacy of this historic rivalry.