Historic 150th Anniversary Test to be played under lights
“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”: Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia CEO
Hyderabad: History will be made when Australia takes on England in a day-night Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Test cricket exactly two years from today.
The 150th Anniversary Test from March 11-15, 2027, will be the first time the Australian men have played a Test under lights at the MCG, the scene of the first Test match in 1877 and the Centenary Test in 1977 – remarkably, both won by Australia by 45 runs. This follows the historic first day-night Test at the MCG earlier this year where Australia’s women completed an Ashes clean-sweep.
A day-night Test will enable more people to attend and watch the 150th Anniversary Test given it will be played outside the school holiday period. The Victorian Government is providing key support for this 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 CEO.
“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 including David Hookes’ five consecutive boundaries off Tony Greig, Rick McCosker batting with a broken jaw and Derek Randall’s defiant century, and I’m sure the 150th Test will create its own lifelong memories,” he said.
“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,” the top CA official said.
“We are thankful to the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club for their incredible support to host this momentous Test match.” “With the now complex international schedule it takes significant planning and support to conduct an event such as this and we are thankful to everyone including the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Victorian Government for their enthusiasm to host this momentous Test match,” said Peter Roach, CA Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling.
