Forget New Year’s resolutions, for true cricket fans, December 26 marks the biggest annual date: Boxing Day! This iconic holiday isn’t just about exchanging gifts, it’s about witnessing sporting magic at the MCG, where the Boxing Day Test unfolds. While Australia lead the charge, don’t be fooled; New Zealand and South Africa step into the Boxing Day ring too, ensuring a global cricketing feast. This year, Pakistan face Australia for the epic Boxing Day Test, while South Africa gear up for the Men in Blue.
Memorable Boxing Day Tests in history
Last-wicket Drama & Ashes Glory (1982): Australia vs. England
Tension prevailed in the Melbourne air as England held a slender lead in the Ashes series. Australia, trailing by just 3 runs after both innings, needed 4 runs to win with the final wicket standing. The MCG crowd roared as Allan Border and Jeff Thomson battled for survival. Just when victory seemed within reach, a miscued swing from Thomson found Geoff Miller’s hands, sending England erupting in jubilation and leaving Australia heartbroken by the narrowest of margins (3 runs!).
Batting Blitz from Both Sides (2003): Australia vs. India
Boxing Day witnessed a batting masterclass, with fireworks coming from both ends. India’s young Virender Sehwag announced himself on the world stage with a debut ton (195), while Ricky Ponting responded with a career-best 257 for Australia. The match ebbed and flowed, with Anil Kumble’s 6-wicket haul keeping India competitive and Rahul Dravid’s 92 adding to the drama. Ultimately, the Aussies chased down a modest target for a draw, but the batting feats remained etched in Boxing Day lore.
Historic Win Down Under (2018): Australia vs. India
A young Indian team led by Virat Kohli rewrote history, achieving their first-ever Boxing Day Test win on Australian soil. Cheteshwar Pujara’s resolute 106 and Kohli’s aggressive 82 laid the foundation for India’s 443. Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the hero with a sensational 9-wicket haul, dismantling the Australian batting twice.
With a 137-run victory, India not only etched their name in Boxing Day history but also set the stage for their first-ever Test series win in Australia.
McCullum’s Mayhem in Christchurch (2014): New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka
Boxing Day cricket returned to New Zealand after a decade, and what a return it was! Brendon McCullum, channelling the spirit of the occasion, unleashed hurricane innings. Balls flew into the stands as McCullum carved out the fastest century ever by a New Zealander (74 balls) and ended with a majestic 195, powering the Kiwis to a dominant 8-wicket victory.
Prasad’s Fifers & Indian Collapse (1996): South Africa vs. India
Venkatesh Prasad was the undisputed star of this Boxing Day clash. His lethal swing bowling ripped through the Indian batting line-up twice, claiming a pair of fifers (5 wickets in each innings). Despite Andrew Hudson’s half-centuries for South Africa, India’s batting crumbled to disappointing scores of 100 and 66, handing the Proteas a massive 395-run victory, one of the biggest Boxing Day Test wins ever.
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