Australia, England to play historic 150th anniversary Test under lights

The historic one-off test between arch-rivals England and Australia will be played under lights at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Test cricket.

The birth of Test cricket took place at the same location in March 1877, with Australia and England facing off in an epic battle. The hosts emerged victorious by a 45-run margin.

A century later, in 1977, these two cricketing nations came together once again for the Centenary Test, commemorating 100 years of their historic rivalry.

Australia once again triumphed, mirroring their earlier feat by winning with a 45-run margin. These two matches remain iconic moments in the history of Test cricket.

It is pertinent to note that the historic test will be the first men’s day-night Test at the MCG, following the successful women’s Ashes day-night Test held at the MCG this summer.

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The match will be played from March 11-15, 2027, marking the first Test in this time frame since 1978-79.

Cricket Australia (CA) decided to hold the anniversary test as a day-night match to attract more viewers outside the school holiday period.

“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 CA’s newly appointed chief executive Todd Greenberg.

He also stated that the 150th anniversary of Test cricket will be a memorable event, ensuring a large audience will attend.

“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 … and I’m sure the 150th Test will create its own lifelong memories, ” he concluded.

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Arif Lohar visits historic Melbourne Cricket Ground

Pakistan’s Punjabi folk icon Arif Lohar, who is currently in Australia these days, visited the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Pakistani folk music legend soaking in the rich history and atmosphere of the venue. During his tour, he explored the dressing rooms and learned about the ground’s significance from the MCG tour guide.

The guide shared insights into Pakistan’s cricketing history at the MCG, including the 1992 World Cup final and the team’s last Test match played under Shan Masood’s leadership.

With the Pakistan team set to play a white-ball series match at the MCG in November, Arif Lohar’s visit marks an exciting moment for cricket and music fans alike.

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Currently on tour in Australia, Arif Lohar is spreading Pakistani culture and music across the globe, with his popular songs like “Jugni Ge” and “Aa Tenu Moaj” being loved by fans everywhere.

It’s worth noting that Cricket Australia (CA) has announced plans to set up dedicated Pakistan fan zones for the upcoming white-ball series.

The five venues in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Adelaide will feature fan zones designated for Pakistani fans.

CA will set up designated seating areas for Pakistan fans, where they can comfortably watch the high-intensity action while enjoying halal food, and desi cuisines. Pakistan fan zones will also have designated prayer areas for fans.

READ: Jason Gillespie to depart for Australia after Pakistan-Bangladesh series