List of all Day/Night test matches played by Australian Cricket Team

The Australian Cricket Team played their first Day/Night test match against New Zealand in 2015.

Day/Night test cricket was introduced in 2015 to add excitement among the fans and attract larger crowds in the stadiums as well as television screens. Due to the visibility issues with the red ball in the evening session, the day-night test matches are played with pink ball.

The first-ever day/night pink-ball test was played between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in 2015, marking a new beginning in the longest format of the game.

The pink-ball tests bring unique challenges to the batsmen. The pink ball, used instead of the red ball, behaves differently under lights. The ball generally swings more during the evening sessions, making batting even more difficult than it already is in test cricket.

The Australian cricket team have played the most Day/Night test among all nations. On that note let’s take a look at how they have performed in those games.

List of all Day/Night test matches played by the Australian Cricket Team:

1. vs New Zealand, Adelaide 2015

The Trans-Tasman clash in 2015 at Adelaide Oval marked the first-ever pink ball test. Australia edged out New Zealand in a close encounter to bag a three-wicket victory on the third day.

Wicket-keeper Peter Nevill top-scored with 76 runs, whereas Josh Hazlewood starred with nine wickets in the game. Hazlewood was awarded with Player of the Match award for his terrific bowling efforts.

2. vs South Africa, Adelaide 2016

Trailing 0-2 in the three-match home test series against South Africa in 2016, the Adelaide test was Australia’s shot at saving some pride in their backyard.

The Aussies defeated South Africa by seven wickets putting up a much-improved performance in the day/night clash. Usman Khawaja stepped up for the hosts with his glorious knock of 145. He was named Player of the Match.

3. vs Pakistan, Brisbane, 2016

Pakistan came close to pulling a huge upset against Australia at the Gabba in their day/night test match in 2016. Chasing 489 runs in the fourth innings, the Asian giants scored 450 runs on the back of a brilliant century by Asad Shafique.

Captain Steve Smith was the star for the Aussies, amassing 193 runs across both innings. Australia closed out the thrilling game with a 39-run victory.

4. vs England, Adelaide, 2017

The Adelaide test in the 2017/18 Ashes was the first time a day-night test was played in the England vs Australia rivalry.

The test was seen as England’s best chance to defeat the Aussies in home-like swinging conditions. However, the hosts proved too strong for England, defeating them by 120 runs. Shaun Marsh was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 126 runs in the first innings.

5. vs Sri Lanka, Brisbane, 2019

Sri Lanka were no match for Australia in their first pink ball encounter. Playing at Australia’s fortress the Gabba, Sri Lanka were simply outplayed, losing the test in an embarrassing fashion by an innings and 40 runs. Pat Cummins was named Player of the Match for taking 10 wickets in the test.

6. vs Pakistan, Adelaide, 2019

Pakistan were unable to replicate their 2016 heroics in their next Day/Night contest against Australia at Adelaide in 2019.

David Warner created history for Australia, scoring a marathon knock of 335 runs in the first innings. He was well supported by Marnus Labuschagne, who chipped in with 162.

Australia bowled out Pakistan for 302 and 239 (f/o) runs respectively to earn the victory by an innings and 48 runs.

7. vs New Zealand, Perth 2019

New Zealand and Australia met for the second time in a day/night test match in 2019 at Perth. The result was the same as the previous one as Australia again came out on top. Thanks to a dominating batting performance, the Aussies defeated New Zealand by 296 runs.

The star for Australia was their left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who snared nine wickets and scored 30 runs in the game.

8. vs India, Adelaide, 2020

India were humiliated by Australia in 2020 at Adelaide. Playing their first pink ball test away from home, the Indian team started the game on the front foot with a 53-run lead in the first innings.

However, the hopes of a huge second-innings lead were ended in quick time by the hosts’ pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who combined to bowl out India for 36 runs (their lowest-ever score in test cricket) in the second innings.

Australia chased down the target of 90 runs with eight wickets in hand. Captain Tim Paine was named Player of the Match for his 73 runs and seven catches in the game.

9. vs England, Adelaide, 2021

Australia hosted England in a pink ball test in the second test of Ashes 2021-22. Coming after their humiliating defeat in Brisbane, England aimed to level the series in Adelaide.

England’s plans, however, were derailed by Marnus Labuschagne, who top-scored for the Aussies with 154 runs in the game. Australia wrapped up the test by 275 runs and Labuschagne was named Player of the Match for his brilliant batting.

10. vs England, Hobart, 2022

In a historic turn of events, the Ashes 2021-22 saw two day/night test matches. The venue for the second day/night contest changed, but England’s fortunes did not.

At Hobart, the Aussies defeated England by 146 runs in the fifth test of the series to complete a comprehensive 4-0 series victory.

Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his blistering 101-run knock in the first innings.

11. vs West Indies, Adelaide, 2022

West Indies were blown away by a world-class Australian unit in 2022 at Adelaide as Australia completed a massive 419-run victory on the fourth day of the test.

Travis Head was named Player of the Match for his knock of 175 runs in the first innings. Labuschagne also registered a century.

12. vs West Indies, Brisbane, 2024

West Indies created history in 2024 at Brisbane by becoming the first team to defeat Australia in a day/night test match. Inspired by a brave bowling effort from youngster Shamar Joseph, the visitors defended 216 runs in the fourth innings, winning the match by only eight runs.

Joseph was named Player of the Match for taking a seven-wicket haul in Australia’s second innings.

(All stats are updated till 19th November 2024)

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