Back in 1877, Melbourne witnessed two teams contest each other in what was an unusual sport at that time, which stretched over several days. They called it Test cricket, for reasons no one cares to remember now. The same Test cricket will turn 150 years old in 2027, and to commemorate that, England and Australia will play a Test match on March 11 that year, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, exactly a century and a half later. But that anniversary Test game will be nothing like the first-ever long-format game. In fact, it will not be like any men’s Test match ever played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It will be a day-night Test, played with the pink ball under the lights.
The decision to play a day-night Test game is said to have been primarily made to ensure a more viewer-friendly start time for fans across different time zones. In day Tests in Australia, play begins early in the morning for audiences in Asia, and by the time the third session starts, it’s past midnight in the United Kingdom. A day-night Test game could solve these concerns while also helping draw larger crowds in Australia after work hours.
Cricket Australia’s (CA) new chief, Todd Greenberg, confirmed that both the state government and Melbourne Cricket Club were in favour of this decision.
“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. It will also help ensure more people are able to attend and watch what will be a fantastic occasion,” the CA CEO said.
On March 11, 1977, a centenary Test, marking 100 years to the first Test, was played at the MCG, where Australia managed to defeat England by 45 runs, which was, incidentally, the exact margin by how their clash ended in 1877.
“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.
“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.”
This Test game will not be played as a part of the World Test Championship, but it will clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) that year, potentially creating availability issues for some players, who might need to miss a few league games. Besides this contest, Australia and England will also play the Ashes the same year at the latter’s home.
Australia have only once lost a day-night Test match, which was their famous Gabba defeat against West Indies. Besides that, they have found unparalleled success playing under the lights. Statistically, the decision sets them up to begin the 150-anniversary Test game in a better position than England. But the game is still two years away, and cricket has its own way of surprising people.
