The MCG will host cricket’s oldest rivalry once again in the traditional Boxing Day Test when the Men’s Ashes Series returns to Australia for the 2021/22 summer.
Now in its 145th year, Australia-England Test matches continue to captivate fans around the world, never more so than in 2019 when the Australian men’s team retained the Ashes on English soil for the first time in 18 years.The MCG will host the third Test Match in the Men’s 2021/22 Ashes Series as well as a Men’s T20 International match against Sri Lanka in February of next year following Cricket Australia’s announcement of the International Summer Schedule.
For the first time since the 1994/95 Ashes Series, the MCG Boxing Day Test (December 26-30) will move to being the Third Test of the five-Test Series, giving the match the opportunity to deliver the coveted Ashes urn to either Australia or England.
The MCG will also play host to the final match of the Men’s International summer, when the Australians host the 2014 T20 World Cup champions, Sri Lanka on Sunday February 20, 2022.
The match – the final fixture of a five-match T20 International Series – will provide a crucial warm-up to the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, of which the MCG will host the tournament final.
Cricket Australia Interim CEO, Nick Hockley, said Australian cricket was excited for the action-packed summer ahead.
“The men’s Ashes is one of the great global sporting rivalries and seems to grow ever larger with each series and generation,” Mr Hockley said.
“We cannot wait to host England over five Tests this summer. The most recent Ashes series was a remarkable contest that captured the imagination of the entire cricketing world and I expect this summer to be no different.
“In a perfect world, we would welcome the Barmy Army back to these shores for a summer of singing and sportsmanship. Of course, we will be guided by the Australian Government on all things related to international travel.
“The lessons learned from successfully delivering a safe summer in 20/21 gives us confidence on what we’re able to achieve, and we’re all hoping for a summer of full crowds and an Ashes atmosphere we’re all accustomed to.”
This year’s Boxing Day Test will be the MCG’s 46th with the tradition beginning against England in 1950, however it was not a regular fixture until the 1980s. The Boxing Day Test has been held every year from 1980 onwards except for 1989 when a one-day international was played.
Melbourne Cricket Club, manager of the MCG, CEO Stuart Fox said the Ashes holds a special place in the DNA of the MCG.
“Considering the MCG hosted the first-ever International Test Match in 1877 which had Australia playing England, the rivalry and the format remain a treasured event on the MCG calendar,” Mr Fox said.
“There’s nothing like Test cricket on Boxing Day morning and we’re so looking forward to welcoming members and fans back into the ‘G for the beloved Boxing Day Test against our arch enemy before welcoming Sri Lanka in the same year as we host matches as part of the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
Public tickets to the 2021/22 summer of cricket will be available in mid-June with priority access given to Australian Cricket Family members. Corporate hospitality options will be available from early June. Fans can buy their tickets today through a special early access window exclusively for Cricket Australia’s interstate travel program by visiting ashes.cricket.com.au.
MCG 2021/22 International Cricket Schedule
Men’s Ashes Series- Sunday December 26 – Thursday December 30*
Men’s T20I Series v Sri Lanka
- Sunday February 20 (Twilight)*
Cricket Australia has considered quarantine periods for all international series into its 2021/22 fixture in line with current guidelines. Cricket Australia continues to work closely with relevant Federal and State Government agencies and will provide updates on international quarantine, domestic biosecurity and crowd measures in due course.
*All matches and travel remain subject to any relevant government restrictions or requirements.
