Cricket Australia, NSW and Victorian governments ratify key matches to 2030

Sydney’s iconic Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day have a safe home at the SCG until 2030 as new hosting deals are signed.

State governments have put ink to paper and willow on leather to lock in key deals for the summer of cricket until the 2030/2031 season.

In grandstand announcements on Sunday, the SCG New Year’s Test and MCG Boxing Day Test have been confirmed until 2030, with respective state funding deals which pull crowds and draw juniors to the game.

At the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird said support from the state government enhanced the iconic Pink Test event, and maximised economic benefits to the state.

Briannan Bugden and Kim Gibbs at the SCG Pink Test between Australia and South Africa in 2023. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“The Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day has become an important event for so many,” state Sport Minister Steve Kamper said.

“Locking in the test for another seven years will allow this great tradition to grow and protect the important legacy of this fixture.”

“It’s a hallmark event on the state’s calendar,” Premier Chris Minns said.

Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird makes the long-term announcements on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“From Steve Waugh’s last over hundred, to watching Justin Langer, the late Shane Warne and our own local legend Glenn McGrath retire together at the Sydney test in 06/07, these are quintessential cricketing moments in Sydney.”

The state government has invested $95m in cricket-related programs during the past seven years, including $47m for the new NSW Cricket Central facility at Sydney Olympic Park.

“We can now look forward to welcoming the Indian team this summer, which is guaranteed to deliver blockbuster entertainment on and off the pitch,” Mr Kamper said.

The cricket scheduling deals provide surety around the men’s and women’s fixtures. Picture: NewsWire / Brendan Beckett

There has been background tension as Perth and Adelaide agitated for a chance to host a New Year’s or Boxing Day test.

As part of the new deal, Brisbane misses out on a test match in the 2026-27 summer for the first time in 50 years. What shape the Gabba redevelopment takes is the issue there.

Down in Victoria, the corresponding commitments to 2030 lock in the 150th anniversary of Australia and England’s first test match in Melbourne. Though that match in 1877 was not for the Ashes - the urn and Ashes tradition would be conceived in the 1880s - Australia won by 45 runs at the MCG.

Australian bowler Scott Boland and Australian test captain Sophie Molineux at the MCG on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The 2027 anniversary match will be a one-off commemoration. We pipped the Poms in the 1977 centenary test too.

Announced at the ‘G on Sunday, the deal between Cricket Australia and the Victorian government locks in the Boxing Day Test until 2030.

The deal also confirms players in the Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test in January 2025 will take to the hallowed turf.

There has been competition from other states to poach a Boxing Day or New Year’s test from Melbourne and Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

“The Boxing Day Test belongs in Victoria and that’s where it will stay,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.

The deal with Cricket Australia ties the Victorian government to supporting the live music, food and drink, come-and-try sports activities, “fan activations” and community events around the matches.