The Australian cricket team has participated in several Day/Night Test matches from 2015 to 2024, showcasing key performances in the pink-ball format. This list includes match details, venues, dates, and results, reflecting Australia’s experience and success in adapting to the unique challenges posed by the Day/Night Test format, which began with their inaugural match in 2015.
Australia’s Cricket Team Played Their First Day/Night Test Match Against New Zealand in 2015.
Day/Night Test cricket was introduced in 2015 to inject excitement into the format, aiming to draw larger crowds to the stadiums and increase television viewership. Due to visibility issues with the red ball during the evening session, the pink ball is used for these matches. The first-ever Day/Night pink-ball Test was played between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide Oval in 2015, marking a new era for the longest format of the game. Pink-ball Tests present unique challenges for batsmen, as the ball behaves differently under lights. It tends to swing more during the evening sessions, making batting even more challenging than in traditional Test cricket. Australia holds the record for playing the most Day/Night Tests among all nations. Let’s now take a look at their performance in these matches.
List of all Day/Night test matches played by the Australian Cricket Team:
1. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 202 | Peter Nevill (76 runs) |
| New Zealand | 1st Innings | 220 | – |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 154 | Josh Hazlewood (9 wickets) |
| New Zealand | 2nd Innings | 121 | – |
- Match Result
- Australia won by 3 wickets.
- Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (9 wickets)
2. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 337 | Usman Khawaja (145) |
| South Africa | 1st Innings | 267 | – |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 121/3 (Target) | Usman Khawaja (not out) |
| South Africa | 2nd Innings | – | – |
- Match Result
- Australia won by 7 wickets.
- Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (145 runs)
3. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 429 | Steve Smith (193 runs across both innings) |
| Pakistan | 1st Innings | 142 | – |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 219 | Steve Smith (193 runs across both innings) |
| Pakistan | 2nd Innings | 450 | Asad Shafique (century) |
Match Result
- Australia won by 39 runs.
4. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 442 | Shaun Marsh (126*), Warner (53) |
| England | 1st Innings | 227 | Root (67), Stokes (34) |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 138 | Khawaja (53) |
| England | 2nd Innings | 283 | Bairstow (51), Ali (40) |
Match Result
- Australia won by 120 runs.
- Player of the Match: Shaun Marsh (126* in the 1st innings)
5. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 1st Innings | 144 | – |
| Australia | 1st Innings | 224 | Pat Cummins (5 wickets) |
| Sri Lanka | 2nd Innings | 40 | – |
| Australia | Target (2nd Innings) | – | – |
Match Result
- Australia won by an innings and 40 runs.
- Player of the Match: Pat Cummins (10 wickets in the test).
6. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 589/3 | David Warner (335 runs), Marnus Labuschagne (162 runs) |
| Pakistan | 1st Innings | 302 | – |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | Declared | – |
| Pakistan | 2nd Innings (f/o) | 239 | – |
Match Result
- Australia won by an innings and 48 runs.
7. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 416 | Mitchell Starc (9 wickets, 30 runs) |
| New Zealand | 1st Innings | 171 | – |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 213 | – |
| New Zealand | 2nd Innings | 162 | – |
Match Result
- Australia won by 296 runs.
8. Australian 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1st Innings | 244 | – |
| Australia | 1st Innings | 191 | – |
| India | 2nd Innings | 36 | Hazlewood (4 wickets), Cummins (3 wickets) |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 90 (Chased) | Tim Paine (73 runs, 7 catches) |
Match Result
- Australia won by 8 wickets.
9. Australianvs 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 450 | Marnus Labuschagne (154 runs) |
| England | 1st Innings | 236 | – |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 170 | – |
| England | 2nd Innings | 109 | – |
Match Result
- Australia won by 275 runs.
- Player of the Match: Marnus Labuschagne (154 runs).
10. Australianvs 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 303 | Travis Head (101 runs) |
| England | 1st Innings | 188 | Broad (3 wickets), Cummins (4 wickets) |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 155 | Robinson (3 wickets), Wood (6 wickets) |
| England | 2nd Innings | 124 | Cummins (3 wickets), Boland (3 wickets) |
Match Result
- Australia won by 146 runs.
- Series Result
- Australia won the Ashes 2021-22 series 4-0.
11. Australianvs 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1st Innings | 511/7 declared | Travis Head (175), Marnus Labuschagne (100+) |
| West Indies | 1st Innings | 214 | – |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 199/6 declared | – |
| West Indies | 2nd Innings | 77 | – |
Match Result
- Australia won by 419 runs.
- Player of the Match
- Travis Head (175 runs in the first innings).
12. Australianvs 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.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 1st Innings | 265 | Kraigg Brathwaite (88 runs) |
| Australia | 1st Innings | 310 | Steve Smith (112 runs), Holder (4 wickets) |
| West Indies | 2nd Innings | 261 | Joshua Da Silva (74 runs) |
| Australia | 2nd Innings | 208 | Shamar Joseph (7 wickets) |
13. Australian vs India, Adelaide, 2024
For the second time in two consecutive series, Australia hammered India in a day/night test match in Adelaide, registering a comfortable 10-wicket win. The win was set up by Mitchell Starc’s career-best figures of 6/48 and Travis Head’s blistering century (140 off 141 balls), while Pat Cummins also took a five-for. India were bowled out for 180 and 175 in their two outings.
| Team | Innings | Runs Scored | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1st Innings | 180 | Mitchell Starc (6/48) |
| Australia | 1st Innings | 337 | Travis Head (140 off 141 balls) |
| India | 2nd Innings | 175 | Pat Cummins (5 wickets) |
| Australia | Target (2nd Innings) | 19/0 | – |
Match Summary
- Result: Australia won by 10 wickets.
- Venue: Adelaide Oval, 2024.
- Notable Performances: Mitchell Starc’s career-best 6/48 and Travis Head’s blistering century.
