Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has not ruled out the possibility of a day-night Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Upcoming Day-Night Tests at MCG
The MCG hosted a women’s day-night Test match in January 2025. Additionally, the venue is set to stage Australia and England’s 150th Anniversary Test under lights in March 2027.
Melbourne has been the venue for the inaugural Boxing Day Test since 1950. Cricket Australia (CA) holds contractual rights to use the MCG until the end of March each summer, even though the venue is often used for Australian Rules football during that month. Earlier this year, CA extended its venue hire agreement with the MCG until the 2030-31 summer.
Greenberg’s Comments on Day-Night Test
“Look, it’s not off the cards. We’ve been talking a lot about the strength of pink-ball cricket; it was amazing this year in Brisbane, and it has been really good in Adelaide. March 2027, it will get its opportunity here in Melbourne,” Greenberg was quoted by Fox Cricket.
Ticket Ballot for Historic Test
Due to the expected large crowds at the MCG across five days from March 11 to 15 for the historic 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England, CA has opened a ticket ballot for the first time in its history.
The ballot opened on December 23 and will run until February 6, 2026. Once it closes, entries will be randomised, and successful applicants will be notified by February 13.
“I don’t have the early numbers, but the concept of running a ballot will give you some demonstration of what we see in this event. The strength of ticket sales and the interest it will have, 150 years of cricket between our two countries is going to be a pretty special moment,” Greenberg stated.
“Those who were here in the ’77 Centenary (Test) still talk about it in great affection, and our job is to make sure that happens again at the 150th in March 2027,” he added.