Australia and England to Celebrate 150 Years of Test Cricket

In 2027, the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be the stage for a historic Test match between Australia and England, commemorating 150 years since the two teams first faced off in Test cricket back in March 1877. This special match will echo the Centenary Test held in 1977, which saw Australia triumph by the same margin of 45 runs, mirroring the result of that inaugural encounter.

Cricket Australia (CA) has also unveiled the allocation of hosting rights for various men’s international matches—including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—across the next seven summers, spanning from 2024-25 to 2030-31. These plans are part of a broader series of strategic partnerships between CA and State and Territory Governments, aimed at providing fans and communities with greater certainty while broadening the scope of cricket events across the nation.

Under these arrangements, the MCG will uphold its tradition of hosting the annual Boxing Day Test, while the Sydney Cricket Ground will continue its long-standing role as the venue for the New Year’s match. Starting from the 2025/26 season, the Adelaide Oval will introduce a "Christmas Test" every December, offering a mix of Day-Night and Day Tests. Additionally, Perth Stadium has secured the right to host the first Men’s Test of each summer through the 2026/27 season.