Britain’s King Charles and global cricket royalty have been invited to a special match-related event in Melbourne next year to mark the 150th anniversary of the first Test, officials have said.
Tickets have also been put on sale a year in advance.
To mark the milestone, Australia will play England under floodlights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from March 11-15 next year.
It will be held at the same ground to commemorate the first Test match between the two arch-rivals in 1877.
All members of the Australian and English teams that played in the 1977 Centenary Test are expected to attend.
Queen Elizabeth II attended the match, and officials hope that King Charles will visit in 2027.
Australian Premier Todd Greenberg says an invitation has been extended through all appropriate channels, including the Australian and UK governments, for the monarch or a representative to visit.
Cricket Australia confirmed that an invitation had been issued.
“We can be assured that there will be royal representation for the opening ball on day one,” he said.
This will be the first time a men’s day-night Test match has been played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
More than 125,000 tickets have already been sold, with most public bookings for days one to three already sold out.
“We have some fantastic plans to ensure a fitting celebration of the Test and the entertainment and events that come with it. Most importantly, we pay tribute to the great players who have made Test cricket such a wonderful and enduring sport, and we look forward to welcoming the cricketing world to Melbourne,” he said.
All living male and female members of the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame, former Test captains and former Test players from Australia and England have also been invited.
Sinhala 
English