The 1977 Centenary Test in Melbourne was one of the most iconic played on Australian soil, still celebrated for the heroics of David Hookes, Dennis Lillee, Rick McCosker and Derek Randall.

It was a contest that did justice to the occasion and will never be forgotten. Half a century on, I worry we are blowing the opportunity of our lifetime on the latest fad rather than honouring what is tried and true.

The 150th anniversary Test match between old rivals Australia and England should not just be a celebration of that remarkable history, but an opportunity to honour the essence of Test cricket itself.

I believe Cricket Australia’s decision to stage the one-off MCG showpiece as a pink-ball day-night match in March 2027 is a misstep. The evolution of the game should not compromise the quality and custom of such a significant event.

A different approach would better serve players and fans alike. How can a match that is literally being staged to celebrate tradition ignore tradition?

It’s just too much of a departure from the classic format that many of us revere. The dynamics of a pink ball under lights differ significantly from the traditional red ball used in daylight and it affects the way the teams strategise throughout the whole match.

CA tried to sell the pink-ball decision as a win for fans, given the match will be staged outside of the normal school holiday period for Tests in Australia.

But I’d be more interested to know what the players think. I wonder if there are active discussions within the current team about this game. Yes, they now play a day-night Test as part of each Ashes series in Australia, but were they consulted in the decision-making process?

And it might have been beneficial to gauge public sentiment through surveys to see how fans view this historic event.

The late-night finishes might suit some fans, but it will also impact younger ones who will struggle to stay up late to watch on TV let alone being taken to the ground.

Accessibility is key, and it would be a shame if the timing of the match limited young fans’ opportunity to experience the excitement of history firsthand.

At the end of the day, this match should be about honouring the purest form of Test cricket and its enduring traditions.

As a traditionalist, I have a strong belief that Test cricket should be played with a red ball during the day. Almost all one-day international and T20 international cricket is played as day/night or night matches so it’s not as though the sport is missing out.

It’s interesting to reflect on this situation as a former player who wore the baggy green with pride. While it might not directly affect me anymore, I find myself contemplating how I would feel if I was still playing. I’m not sure I would be comfortable with the decision to choose a day/night Test for such a significant match.

It’s a thought that lingers, especially considering how much the dynamics of the game can shift with a pink ball and different playing conditions and I just keep coming back to tradition.

I’m sure that when others read this, there will be differing opinions — some might agree with my perspective, while others may not, and that’s perfectly OK.

I have no doubt that crowds will flock to this landmark match; I might even try to grab a seat just to experience a moment in history and hopefully see the Aussies give it to England.

It’s an exciting time regardless, but I can’t shake the feeling that we might be losing something special in the process.