King Charles has been invited to attend the 150th anniversary Test between England and Australia in Melbourne next year, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg announced. The Ashes rivals will play a one-off match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to mark the anniversary of the first Test ever played in 1877.

As head of state of both the UK and Australia, Queen Elizabeth II attended the fifth day of the centenary Test in 1977, also held in Melbourne. Cricket Australia is also inviting every living captain of England and Australia, male or female, and every player who featured in 1977 to attend the historic match.

Greenberg told Australia's Channel 7 that organizers want to make it "an occasion that celebrates the combat between England and Australia but more broadly celebrates Test cricket and the beauty of Test cricket." The match will be played from 11 March, though there has been criticism of it being held as a day-night affair. England, who lost 4-1 to Australia in the Ashes this winter, are planning a warm-up match before the landmark Test.