Here is all you need to know about Boxing Day in cricket, its origin, history, meaning record of India and more
A cricket test match between the Australian cricket team and a foreign national side that is visiting Australia in the southern summer takes place in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on Boxing Day.
What is the meaning of a Boxing Day test in cricket, date, history, origin, matches list and results
Every year, it starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day, which is December 26.
No noticeable issues with Rabada and Ngidi who are bowling at Elgar and Bavuma in the Proteas side's first training session ahead of Boxing Day Test with India. pic.twitter.com/iT71ikvuvZ
— stuart hess (@shockerhess) December 23, 2023
What is the Boxing Day Test?
In the Commonwealth countries of Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, Boxing Day Test matches are cricket matches that are traditionally played on December 26, the day after Christmas. However, the most well-known one is held at Australia’s renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Why is Boxing Day celebrated on December 26?
Boxing Day, which falls on December 26, has numerous origins. Some claim the name of the date came from the custom of churches opening alms boxes on that day, while others claim that servants received gifts on December 26 for working on Christmas Day.
In addition to being Boxing Day and the feast day of St. Stephen, the patron saint of horses, December 26 is a big day for sports in the Commonwealth countries that are part of the Southern Hemisphere.
What is the history behind Boxing Day in Cricket?
During the 1950–51 Ashes Test series, the inaugural Boxing Day Test match was played. The Melbourne Test was played that year from December 22 to December 27, including Christmas Day on the fourth day. In a thriller, Australia prevailed by just 28 runs.
There were no Boxing Day Test matches played from 1953 until 1966 following South Africa’s 1952 tour of Australia. In 1967, Test matches against India were recommenced on Boxing Day; however, they were played at the Adelaide Oval and commenced on December 23.
Since it was first used to commemorate a Sheffield Shield first-class match between Victoria and New South Wales in 1865, the custom has tremendous significance for Australians. Today, the Test match which is played on December 26 is known as the Boxing Day Test match.
To the dismay of the NSW players who were forced to miss spending Christmas with their families, Boxing Day was included as one of the approved play days.
India’s record in Boxing Day cricket
Since their initial Test match against Australia on Boxing Day in 1985, the Indian cricket team has made many trips to the MCG. The years that India participated in the Boxing Day Test are 1985, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2020.
In their eight Boxing Day Test matches, India has, however, lost five, won two, and tied two. The four Indian centurions in Melbourne are Sachin Tendulkar (1), Ajinkya Rahane (2), Virat Kohli (1), and Virender Sehwag (1).
India’s record on Boxing Day in Australia
1985
- Batting first: Australia
- Result: Draw
1991
- Batting first: India
- Result: Australia won by 8 wickets
1999
- Batting first: Australia
- Result: Australia won by 180 runs
2003
- Batting first: India
- Result: Australia won by 9 wickets
2007
- Batting first: Australia
- Result: Australia won by 337 runs
2011
- Batting first: Australia
- Result: Australia won by 122 runs
2014
- Batting first: Australia
- Result: Draw
2018
- Batting first: India
- Result: India won by 137 runs
2020
- Batting first: Australia
- Result: India won by 8 wickets
India’s record on Boxing Day in South Africa
1992
- Batting first: India
- Result: South Africa won by 9 wickets
1996
- Batting first: South Africa
- Result: South Africa won by 328 runs
2006
- Batting first: South Africa
- Result: South Africa won by 174 runs
2010
- Batting first: India
- Result: India won by 87 runs
2013
- Batting first: India
- Result: South Africa won by 10 wickets
2021
- Batting first: India
- Result: India won by 113 runs