England intends to decline proposals for day/night Test matches, which use a pink ball, during their upcoming Ashes tour of Australia in 2029/30. Officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have informed Cricket Australia (CA) during post-Ashes discussions that they prefer all five Tests of the 2029/30 series to be played with a traditional red ball during daylight hours.
This stance contrasts with the upcoming 150th anniversary Test match scheduled for March next year at the MCG, which will feature a pink Kookaburra ball in a day/night format. The choice to hold the 150th anniversary match as a day/night fixture has drawn criticism from figures such as Jim Maxwell, Jason Gillespie, and Darren Lehmann. The ECB's position on future Ashes tours is believed to be influenced by player preferences.
England batter Joe Root previously stated that a day/night match is not essential for an Ashes series.
Day/night Tests have been an annual event in Australia since 2015. Australia has a strong record with the pink ball, winning 14 of 15 matches globally. In contrast, England has lost all four of its pink-ball Ashes matches, including an eight-wicket defeat at the Gabba where Joe Root scored a century. Day/night Tests have gained popularity due to their broadcast-friendly hours, allowing more viewers in Australia and England to watch matches live.
Furthermore, the ECB's position aligns with Cricket Australia's decision to schedule all four Tests against New Zealand and two Tests against Bangladesh next summer as red-ball matches, making the 150th anniversary game the only pink-ball fixture of that season.
The ECB and CA have also reportedly agreed on warm-up match arrangements for the next two Ashes series. Following England's previous preparations, which included a three-day match against the England Lions before the first Test in Perth, both organizations have now agreed that England will be offered a first-class match at a chosen venue, contingent on the location of the series opener. Australia will receive a similar arrangement for their 2027 tour of England.