The Ashes 2029-30: Cricket Australia Confirms Plans to Continue Pink-Ball Test

Cricket Australia confirmed that a pink-ball Test is still expected to be part of the 2029–30 The Ashes, dismissing reports that the day-night format would be dropped.

Cricket Australia (CA) has reaffirmed its intention to include a pink-ball Test during the 2029-30 edition of The Ashes, dismissing speculation that the traditional day-night fixture might be removed from the schedule.

The governing body clarified that the format remains an integral part of its long-term broadcast agreements and continues to deliver strong television viewership and fan engagement during the Australian summer.

Pink-Ball Test Still Part of Broadcast Agreements

Reports recently suggested that Australia could move away from staging a day-night Test in future Ashes series. However, CA chief executive Todd Greenberg stated that there has been no formal request to eliminate the format.

“They haven’t requested it [to be dropped],” Todd Greenberg, the CA CEO, told SEN radio when asked about the reports of the future of pink-ball Ashes Tests “Pleasingly, we don’t play them here until 2029, so I’ve got a little bit of time to work this one out. It’s a part of our broadcast contracts. It’s clearly a big part of our summer [and] it clearly works here in this country.

“We’ve shown it works in Adelaide. It certainly worked last year in Brisbane. It’s our plan to continue at least one of those in a summer. If we need to work with our comrades at the ECB to help them prepare better or have practice matches, we’ll do all those sort of things. We’ll have that dialogue if and when needed.”

When asked directly whether England should expect another day-night encounter during their next tour, Greenberg confirmed the likelihood. “That’s certainly our expectation, yes.”

Historic 150th Anniversary Test to Be Played Under Lights

The conversation around pink-ball cricket has also intensified with the upcoming 150th anniversary Test between Australia and England, scheduled to be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in March next year.

To mark the milestone in the long history of Ashes cricket, CA has chosen to stage the commemorative Test as a day-night match. Despite some criticism from traditionalists, the organisation believes the decision will enhance accessibility for fans across different time zones.

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“I think the ticket sales send us a very strong message that people will turn up,” Greenberg said. “It’s clearly a better time zone for those in England to be able to watch it on broadcast. It’s not school holidays at that period of time, so I am hoping that kids and families can finish their days at school and leave work early and be at the ground.

“It’s also a bit of a nod to say we’re at 150 years of Australia and England Test matches, and we’ve got to continue to challenge ourselves and evolve.

“I’m not suggesting for one minute that every Test match should be a pink ball game, but pink ball has a place to play in this country. Anyone who is against it just needs to look through the prism of we’ll have double the amount of people watching a particular session than we ordinarily do, and you can’t turn away from that.”