Giant Pink Cricket Ball Takes to the Skies Ahead of Historic Women’s Day-Night Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Melbourne’s skyline was transformed this morning with the sight of a giant pink cricket ball hot air balloon floating above the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This dazzling display heralds the arrival of the Women’s Ashes Day-Night Test, set to take place from January 30 to February 2. The balloon, a first-of-its-kind initiative, will also be on display in Yarra Park during the Men’s Boxing Day Test and will take flight over Melbourne in the lead-up to this historic match.

As excitement builds for this landmark series, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley expressed his enthusiasm for the creative initiative. He said, “The pink cricket ball hot air balloon is a fun way to build awareness and anticipation for the Women’s Ashes.”

Hockley went on to highlight the unique format of the series and the significance of the matches, adding, “The seven-match multi-format series includes T20 matches at the SCG, Manuka Oval and the Adelaide Oval and culminates in the historic first ever Day-Night Test at the MCG starting on January 30.”

This year’s Ashes holds a special place in cricketing history as it commemorates the 90th anniversary of the first women’s Test match, played in December 1934. Speaking about the importance of this milestone, Hockley emphasized, “This is shaping up to be a historic Ashes series that also celebrates the 90th anniversary of the first women’s Test match in December 1934. The balloon is the first of its kind and forms part of the build-up to this highly anticipated Women’s Ashes series.”

The series will begin on January 12 in Sydney with the first of three ODIs, and it will conclude with the much-anticipated Day-Night Test at the MCG. Fans can expect a thrilling contest as Australia and England battle it out across formats.