What is Boxing Day Test and how Australia have fared in their last few Boxing Day games?

Australia have thumped England in the first three Ashes games and managed to regain the historic urn. The two sides now lock horns with each other at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the boxing day. In this piece, let us try to understand what is boxing day, what is boxing day Test and how the Australians fared in the last 5 occasions when they played a Test match on boxing day.

What is Boxing day

Boxing day is a British tradition which has spread across Australia. The first weekday after the Christmas is celebrated as a boxing day. Why boxing day? Well, because, after Christmas, on this day everyone collects their Christmas gift boxes.

What is boxing day Test

The history of boxing day goes as back as 1892 when one Sheffield Shield game between New South Wales and Victoria was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Christmas week celebrations. Earlier, the boxing day Tests were scheduled such that one of the days play will fall on 26th December. The first ever international boxing day game was played in 1950 when the English side played the Australians. That game started on 22nd December and ended on the boxing day.

The boxing day test first became a massive one in 1975 when Clive Loyd led West Indies faced Australia on the boxing day match. Australia had demolished the West Indies in the game which started on the boxing day itself. Over 80,000 people attended the match at the MCG making it a massively famous. After few years, the boxing day Test became a tradition in Australia where the touring team will face the Australian side at the MCG during the summer.

Australia in last five boxing day Tests

Australia vs Sri Lanka Dec 26-28, 2012

In this game, Australian bowlers were hostile. Sri Lanka’s two players which included skipper Mahela Jayawardene didn’t come out to bat in the second inning while Kumar Sangakkara got retired hurt after a bouncer hit him on the gloves. Mitchell Johnson picked 4 wickets and Sri Lanka had collapsed for 158 runs in their first innings.

Australia posted a massive 460 runs after a century from Australia skipper Michael Clarke, and half-centuries from David Warner, Shane Watson and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. Sri Lanka failed to leave any impact as Australian picked 7 wickets quickly while 3 batters didn’t come to bat. Australia won the game by an innings and 201 runs. Mitchell Johnson was named the player of the game.

Australia vs England Dec 26-28, 2013

England had already lost the Ashes in the first three games itself as their batsmen had surrendered already in front of Australian bowling attack led by fiery Mithcell Johnson. The boxing day test was no different as Mitchell Johnson’s fifer sent the English batsmen packing one more time. England could only manage 255, thanks to Kevin Pietersen’s half-century.

The English duo of Anderson and Broad had pushed the Australian batsmen with brilliant bowling as they picked up 7 wickets together and helped the Australians bundled out for 204 runs in their first innings. But England batsmen failed yet again in the series as they could only manage 179 runs with Lyon leading the bowlers this time picking 4 wickets while Johnson got another three.

A century from opener Chris Rogers and a half-century from Shane Watson helped the Australians chase down the target in quick time. Mitchell Johnson received the man of the match in this game as well.

Australia vs India Dec 26-28, 2014

Indians were highly competitive in the series in the first two games but failed to get across as Australia managed to lead the series 2-0 coming into the boxing day match. Indian bowlers had failed to contain Steve Smith throughout the series and the Australian skipper one more time stuck into the Indians with a massive 192 run innings helping the side to post a massive 530 runs in the first innings.

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s counter punched centuries helped India reply with 465 runs. Australia set India a target of 384 runs. India managed to draw the game with Kohli and Rahane once again involved in a good partnership. This match saw India’s captain MS Dhoni quit test cricketer after playing his part in saving the match for India. Fast bowler Ryan Harris was named the man of the match for his 6 wickets in the game.

Australia vs West Indies Dec 26-28, 2015

4 centuries from top 5 Australian batsmen helped them post a huge total of 551 runs in their first innings. James Pattinson and Nathan Lyon’s 4-fer couldn’t let the West Indies go too far and bundled them for 271 runs taking a huge lead of 280 runs.

The Australians added another 179 runs in the lead in their 2nd innings and gave West Indies a target of 460 runs. Australian bowlers combined effort in the second innings meant that the visitors could only score 280 runs, losing the game by 177 runs. Nathan Lyon was named the man of the match for his 7 wickets in the match.

Australia vs Pakistan Dec 26-28, 2016

Pakistani opener Azhar Ali’s brilliant double century helped Pakistan post a huge total of 443 runs in their first innings. Australia responded brilliantly with David Warner and skipper Steve Smith scoring centuries and helping the side post a massive 624 runs.

In the second innings, Pakistani batsmen surrendered and were bundled out for 163 runs with Mitchell Starc taking 4 wickets. Australia won the game by an innings and 19 runs and skipper Steve Smith named the player of the game.

Now, when the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England starts on the boxing day, It will be interesting to see If the English side can manage to salvage some pride or It will be Australia all over again looking for that  5-0 whitewash.