Explore all day/night test matches played by the Australian cricket team, highlighting their memorable performances and victories. Day/Night test cricket was introduced in 2015 to make the game more exciting for fans and attract bigger crowds in stadiums and on TV. Because the red ball is hard to see during the evening session, these matches use a pink ball instead.
The first day/night pink-ball test was played between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide Oval in 2015, marking a new era in Test cricket.
The pink ball creates challenges for batsmen. It behaves differently under lights, swinging more in the evening, which makes batting harder than usual in test cricket.
Australia has played the most Day/Night tests of any country. Let’s see how they’ve performed in these games.
12. vs New Zealand, Adelaide 2015
The 2015 Trans-Tasman match at Adelaide Oval was the first-ever pink ball test. Australia won by three wickets against New Zealand in a close game that finished on the third day.
Peter Nevill, the wicketkeeper, scored the most runs with 76, while Josh Hazlewood took nine wickets. Hazlewood was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling.
11. vs South Africa, Adelaide 2016
In 2016, Australia was behind 0-2 in a three-match home test series against South Africa. The Adelaide test was their chance to save some pride.
Australia won the match by seven wickets, showing a much better performance in the day/night test. Usman Khawaja played a key role, scoring a brilliant 145 runs and was named Player of the Match.
10. vs Pakistan, Brisbane, 2016
Pakistan almost pulled off a big surprise against Australia at the Gabba in their day/night test match in 2016. Chasing 489 runs in the fourth innings, Pakistan scored 450 runs, thanks to a brilliant century by Asad Shafiq.
Captain Steve Smith was the standout player for Australia, scoring 193 runs in both innings. Australia won the exciting match by 39 runs.
Also Read: Top Cricketers Who Began Their T20I Career with A Six
9. vs England, Adelaide, 2017
The Adelaide test in the 2017/18 Ashes was the first day-night test in the England vs Australia rivalry.
It was seen as England’s best chance to beat Australia in conditions that suited them. However, Australia was too strong, winning by 120 runs. Shaun Marsh was named Player of the Match for his not-out 126 runs in the first innings.
8. vs Sri Lanka, Brisbane, 2019
Sri Lanka couldn’t compete with Australia in their first pink ball match. Playing at Australia’s home ground, the Gabba, Sri Lanka was outplayed and lost the test by an innings and 40 runs. Pat Cummins was named Player of the Match for taking 10 wickets.
7. vs Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019
Pakistan couldn’t repeat their strong performance from 2016 in their next Day/Night match against Australia in Adelaide in 2019.
David Warner made history for Australia, scoring a huge 335 runs in the first innings. He was helped by Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 162 runs.
6. vs New Zealand, Perth 2019
New Zealand and Australia played their second day/night test match against each other in 2019 in Perth. As in the first match, Australia won again, this time by 296 runs. Australia’s Mitchell Starc was the star of the match, taking nine wickets and scoring 30 runs.
5. vs India, Adelaide, 2020
India faced a tough defeat against Australia in 2020 at Adelaide. In their first pink ball test away from home, India started strong with a 53-run lead in the first innings.
But Australia’s fast bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, quickly ended India’s hopes of a big second-innings lead. They bowled India out for just 36 runs, which is the lowest score in India’s Test history.
Australia easily chased the 90-run target, winning by 8 wickets. Tim Paine, the Australian captain, was named Player of the Match for scoring 73 runs and taking seven catches.
Also Read: Best IPL Captains In History (2008 – 2024)
4. vs England, Adelaide, 2021
In the second Test of the Ashes 2021-22, Australia hosted England for a pink ball match in Adelaide. After losing badly in Brisbane, England hoped to tie the series.
But Marnus Labuschagne spoiled their plans by scoring 154 runs, the highest for Australia. Australia won the match by 275 runs, and Labuschagne was named Player of the Match for his excellent batting.
3. vs England, Hobart, 2022
In the Ashes 2021-22, two day/night test matches were played. The second match was moved to Hobart, but England still lost.
Australia won the fifth test by 146 runs, finishing the series 4-0.
Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his impressive 101 runs in the first innings.
2. vs West Indies, Adelaide, 2022
In 2022, Australia defeated West Indies by 419 runs in Adelaide on the fourth day of the test match.
Travis Head was named Player of the Match for scoring 175 runs in the first innings, while Marnus Labuschagne also scored a century.
1. vs West Indies, Brisbane, 2024
In 2024, the West Indies made history in Brisbane by becoming the first team to beat Australia in a day/night test match. Thanks to a strong bowling performance from young Shamar Joseph, the West Indies defended 216 runs in the fourth innings and won by just eight runs.
Joseph was named Player of the Match for taking seven wickets in Australia’s second innings.
Also Read: Top Teams With The Most Ranji Trophy Wins