England are planning to play a pink ball warm up match before the 150th anniversary Test against Australia in Melbourne next year.
The Ashes rivals will meet in a one off day night Test from 11 March 2027 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The fixture marks 150 years since the first Test between the sides at the same venue in 1877.
England lost 4-1 in this winter’s Ashes series and their preparation drew criticism. The squad played an in house warm up against England Lions before the series and did not face a pink ball in match conditions before the day night second Test in Brisbane.
Coach Brendon McCullum later accepted errors in planning after the series was conceded with defeat in the third Test in Adelaide.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has held discussions with Cricket Australia over a reciprocal arrangement aimed at improving preparation for touring sides before Ashes series.
Melbourne’s Junction Oval is among the venues under consideration for a pink ball warm up before the anniversary Test. No decision has been confirmed and planning remains at an early stage.
England have lost all four day night Tests played in Australia. A day night fixture is unlikely in the next Ashes series in Australia. Batter Joe Root questioned the need for pink ball matches during the recent tour.
The 2026 27 winter will be demanding for England’s multi format players. After the home summer ends on 27 September, England are scheduled to play a 50 over tri series in Pakistan from mid October, with Sri Lanka a possible participant. The side then travel to Australia for a white ball tour in November.
A three Test series against world champions South Africa is scheduled for December as part of a multi format tour.
The T20 leg remains uncertain with a potential clash against South Africa’s SA20 competition. England are also scheduled to play two Tests against Bangladesh in February, with players likely to travel directly to Australia after that tour.
Warm up matches are expected before the tours of South Africa and Bangladesh.