The anticipation is building as Australia’s cricket stars prepare to make history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With just six months to go, the excitement for the inaugural CommBank Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test Match is palpable. Set to take place from 30 January to 2 February, 2025, this groundbreaking fixture will be the first day-night Test ever held at the iconic stadium.
Captains Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath were at the MCG last night to kick off the countdown, marking exactly half a year until the historic clash between Australia and England. The match also commemorates the 90th anniversary of the first-ever women’s Test at the MCG, which was part of the 1934-35 Australia-England series.
Alyssa Healy expressed her enthusiasm about the upcoming Test. “We can’t wait to play the first-ever day-night Test at MCG. It’s going to be a special occasion as we honour the 90th anniversary of the first women’s Test series under lights at this iconic venue,” she said. Healy also highlighted the busy summer ahead, which includes the ICC T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, home series against New Zealand and India, and the multi-format Ashes series. “We hope the Australian fans get behind us as we take on some tough rivals this summer,” she added.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley echoed this excitement, describing the forthcoming event as a remarkable milestone. “It’s amazing to think that in just six months our brilliant Australian Women’s team will light up the MCG for the historic first day-night Test at the world-renowned venue,” he said. Hockley acknowledged the significant support from the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Cricket Club, emphasising the importance of the event for both Australian sport and the broader community.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos highlighted the economic benefits of such landmark events. “No stadium in Australia can provide a bigger crowd than the MCG—it’s the perfect place for this historic Test Match and to mark this momentous occasion,” he said. Dimopoulos noted that major sporting events like this one boost the local economy, benefiting hotels, bars, restaurants, and creating a vibrant atmosphere in the city.
Stuart Fox, CEO of the Melbourne Cricket Club, shared his excitement about the MCG’s latest achievement. “The MCG hosted the first-ever international Test Match in 1877, the first-ever One-Day International match in 1971, and saw over 86,000 for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final between Australia and India in 2020,” he said. “Now we have the opportunity to host our first-ever day-night Test, which is sure to become another important moment in the MCG’s storied history. It is extremely special that this milestone falls with a Women’s Ashes Test, a series beloved at the MCG, and while marking the 90th anniversary of hosting our first Women’s Test.”
As the countdown continues, the excitement for this landmark occasion grows, promising to add another memorable chapter to the MCG’s rich legacy.
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