‌MCG set to commemorate 150 years of Test cricket with Australia-England exhibition

This will be the first-ever men’s day-night Test match to be staged at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. The affair is scheduled for March 11-15, at the aftermath of the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy in India. However, this will not be a part of the twelve Tests – three Tests in Sri Lanka, three home games against New Zealand, and Australia’s tour to India. 

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg hailed the one-off Test between Australia and England to be a grand occasion. 

"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 can attend and watch what will be a fantastic occasion,” he said.

The first Test held in 1877 was between Australia and England at the MCG, where the home side won by 45 runs. The event will be 150 years old by the time the two nations face-off at the fag end of Autralian summer. The decision to make it a day-night affair allows more people to engage in the audience as well as sits well with early birds in the UK. Australia are also slated to face the English side for the Ashes series the same year. 

"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,” Todd added.

The Women’s side already faced off against one another in a day-night Test at the MCG this summer. And the MCG would be chuffed to stage a grand occasion with two of the best men’s cricketing sides square off for a memorable occasion.