The 2026 Pink Test provided a memorable finale to the Men’s Ashes series, with the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground playing host to a celebration of cricket and community to welcome the new year.
In front of a record crowd of 211,032 – the highest ever for a SCG Test – Australia secured a five-wicket victory to round out a 4-1 Ashes success over England.
The match provided five days of captivating cricket, highlighted by centuries from Travis Head, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Jacob Bethell and a fitting farewell to the retiring Usman Khawaja. But the event will also be remembered for its recognition of local heroes, volunteers and participants, alongside fundraising generosity for the McGrath Foundation, demonstrating cricket’s ability to unite the community.
Before play began on day one, the crowd united in a moving display of respect for the heroes of the Bondi attack, with representatives of the emergency services and first responders, plus Ahmed Al Ahmed and Chaya Dadon, were applauded on the field of play.
Across the five days, Cricket NSW proudly celebrated 1136 volunteers and participants representing a wide range of clubs, regions and roles within the game.
Most notably, NSW Community Cricket Awards and Community Distinguished Service Award recipients were acknowledged on two occasions. Fifteen of these recipients took part in the pre-game ceremony, carrying giant Australian and English flags, while others were recognised via a special ceremony in the Steve Waugh Room on Day Four.
Cricket NSW congratulates and thanks all award winners and recipients on their outstanding service to the game.
Young cricketers also received memorable on-ground experiences throughout the match. Woolworths Cricket Blast Anthem participants from Orange CYMS Cricket Club stood alongside both teams pre-game, while a number of junior cricket participants per day acted as flag bearers. The excitement continued at lunch on the first three days, as over 280 children from country and metro clubs participated in the Woolworths Cricket Blast matches on field.
The on-ground fun continued into day four, as the first Sydney Test Smash Series activation saw 39 participants enjoy the fast-paced format during the lunch break, while 60 volunteers and umpires representing groups from across NSW were applauded by the crowd on their Volunteer Walk. A further 650 cricket volunteers from across NSW received tickets for one of the days of the match as a thank you for their work in the cricket community each week.
The recognition throughout the Test extended to two greats of the game – as announced on Day Two, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke AO were inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame. Both were among the outstanding batters of their generation, as well as inspirational on and off-field leaders.
The community spirit on show across the week was further demonstrated with a record $11.7 million raised for the McGrath Foundation in what was the 18th Pink Test.
A final farewell was also paid to The Richies, the famous supporter group who for 15 years banded together to pay tribute to the great Richie Benaud, on their final appearance at the Sydney Test.
Cricket NSW thanks all from across the state, plus interstate and international visitors, whose contributions and attendance made the Pink Test memorable. We also congratulate Cricket Australia, alongside all State Associations and venues that hosted Test matches, on a successful series.