150 Years of Test Cricket: Australia will host England in a one-off Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2027 to celebrate 150 years of Test cricket. This commemorative match will honor the first-ever Test match played between the two teams in March 1877. The 2027 match follows the tradition of the 1977 Centenary Test, which Australia won by 45 runs, mirroring the result of the inaugural match.
Cricket Australia (CA) has also unveiled the allocation of hosting rights for various men’s international matches, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, over the next seven summers, from 2024-25 to 2030-31. These arrangements are part of strategic partnerships between CA and State and Territory Governments, aimed at providing greater certainty for fans and communities while expanding cricket events nationwide.
As part of this arrangement, the MCG will continue to host the traditional Boxing Day Test, while the Sydney Cricket Ground will host the New Year’s match. The Adelaide Oval will host the “Christmas Test” in December beginning with the 2025/26 season, with a mix of Day-Night and Day Tests. Meanwhile, Perth Stadium has won the right to host the first Men’s Test of the summer until the 2026/27 season.
The First Test Match in 1877
The Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted the first-ever Test match between Australia and England on March 15 and 19, 1877. Australia was victorious, winning by 45 runs. Charles Bannerman of Australia earned the first-ever Test century, scoring 165 runs in the opening innings. England’s Alfred Shaw delivered the first ball in Test cricket history. This momentous encounter lay the groundwork for what has since become one of the sport’s most famous rivalries.
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