Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Botham and Chappell Reunite for 150th Anniversary of Australia-England Test Cricket
Two famous cricket players, Ian Botham from England and Greg Chappell from Australia, met up to celebrate a big anniversary.
It's been 150 years since their countries played their very first cricket Test match against each other a long, long time ago.
They announced that there will be special celebrations and a game played in 2027 to remember this special day.
The first game ever played between them was also at the same big stadium in Melbourne.
Interestingly, Australia won that first game by 45 runs, and even 100 years later, in another special game, Australia won again by the exact same number of runs.
Greg Chappell even joked that they've been alive for half of cricket's Test history!
Ian Botham and Greg Chappell reunited in Melbourne on November 11, 2025, to announce celebrations.
The celebrations mark the 150th anniversary of the first Test match between Australia and England.
The historic first Test was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from March 15-19, 1877.
A special non-Ashes Test match will be held at the MCG from March 11-15, 2027, to commemorate the anniversary.
Cricket Australia will launch a ticket ballot on December 23 for the commemorative Test match.
- Who
- Cricketing greats Ian Botham and Greg Chappell
- What
- Announced celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the first Test match between Australia and England, including a special non-Ashes Test match.
- When
- Announced on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for celebrations in March 2027.
- Where
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Why
- To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the inaugural Test match between Australia and England in 1877.
- Event
- 150th Anniversary of the first Test between Australia and England
- Location
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Celebration Match Dates
- March 11-15, 2027
- First Test Date
- March 15-19, 1877
- Centenary Test Date
- 1977
- Ticket Ballot Opens
- December 23