England will play a three-day floodlit warm-up match before the 150th anniversary Test at the MCG next March, with the annual Prime Minister’s XI fixture set to be played in Melbourne for the first time. The match will run from March 4 to 6 at Junction Oval, breaking from tradition since the PM’s XI game is usually held at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Junction Oval has recently had floodlights installed. These will be used for the first time during the Women’s Big Bash League later this year, before the pink-ball Test starts on March 11. England had requested a practice match ahead of the Test, and the same arrangement is expected to be repeated when Australia tours for the 2027 Ashes, where proper warm-up fixtures will be provided. The Ashes will not be at stake during the 150th anniversary Test.
Tight Turnaround Awaits Both Teams
Both England and Australia face a difficult schedule heading into the anniversary match. Australia will be finishing a five-Test series in India on March 3, while England will arrive straight from a series in Bangladesh. For Australia, the fixture is part of a demanding run of at least 20 Tests in 11 months starting from August. It will mark England’s second visit to Australia during the 2026-27 season, following a white-ball tour in November that includes three ODIs and five T20Is.
England faced criticism over their preparation ahead of last season’s Ashes, when they chose an intra-squad game at Lilac Hill in Perth instead of accepting offers to play in Adelaide or Melbourne, despite requesting use of the WACA. Since then, the two boards have reached an agreement to ensure warm-up matches are better suited to conditions in future Ashes series.
Last season’s PM’s XI fixture technically gave England a chance to prepare for the day-night Test in Brisbane, but the touring side fielded its A team for the two-day pink-ball game instead. That squad included Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, all of whom later played in the Ashes. England cited the differences between conditions at Manuka Oval and the Gabba as the reason for the decision.
Albanese Welcomes Historic Fixture
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the PM’s XI match holds a significant place in Australian cricket history and called it fitting that the side would face England ahead of the anniversary Test. He added that the occasion would be a special one for cricket fans in Australia and around the world, and said he looked forward to helping select a competitive PM’s XI squad.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said playing under lights in Melbourne would give the PM’s XI significant exposure during a busy period for the sport. He said Cricket Australia expects strong crowds at Junction Oval for the match against a full-strength England side.
Busy Cricket Calendar for Melbourne and Canberra
The PM’s XI fixture adds to a packed cricket schedule in Melbourne, with Australia’s women playing New Zealand in ODIs at Junction Oval on March 8 and 10. That series was adjusted following changes to the inaugural Champions Trophy schedule.
Canberra will still host two international fixtures during the 2026-27 season. England’s men will play a T20I there on December 2, while New Zealand’s women will play an ODI on March 6. New Zealand’s men, who tour for a four-Test series in December, will not play a warm-up match, arriving directly after facing India at home. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are scheduled to play a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin ahead of their series in August.
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