What is a Boxing Day Test? Check History and India’s Record in BGT

The Boxing Day Test is one of cricket’s most famous traditions, blending festive cheer with fierce competition. The match, held every year on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), attracts fans from around the world and showcases exciting matches and legendary performances. As BGT 2024 approaches, another historic conflict is about to take place.

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What is the Boxing Day Test?

The Boxing Day Test is an iconic cricket tradition, held every year on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It symbolizes excellence in sporting and cultural celebration, attracting huge crowds to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and millions of viewers around the world. However, the tradition evolved over time rather than starting as a formal event.

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The historical significance of Australia’s Boxing Day Test match

The origins of Boxing Day cricket date back to 1865, when the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales was played at the MCG over Christmas. This often includes a Boxing Day match, creating an early association with cricket during the festive period.

The modern Boxing Day Test tradition began with the 1950-51 Ashes series, when the fourth day of the Test fell on Boxing Day. However, between 1953 and 1967 no Tests were held on Boxing Day.

The turning point came during the 1974-75 Ashes series, when six Tests were scheduled, leading to the Melbourne match starting on Boxing Day. By 1980, the Australian Cricket Board (now Cricket Australia) formalized the Boxing Day Test, a move supported by the advent of live television on Nine. The match became a major sporting event in Melbourne, cementing its reputation as a major global sporting centre.

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Boxing Day Test matches and results list

Since 2020, the Man of the Match award has been accompanied by the Mullah Medal, named after Australian Aboriginal cricketer Johnny Mullah, adding further cultural and historical depth to the award. Here is the Boxing Day Test match list and results:

Year	be opposed to	result	audience	Attendance	Medal of Mulla
1968	west indies	Australia won by 30 runs	18,766	113,376	–
1974	England	painting	77,167	250,750	–
1975	west indies	Australia won by 8 wickets	85,661	222,755	Jeff Thomson
1980	New Zealand	painting	28,671	82,745	Richard Hadley
1981	west indies	Australia won by 58 runs	39,982	134,081	Kim Hughes
1982	England	England won by 3 points	63,900	214,882	Norman Cowens
1983	Pakistan	painting	40,277	111,611	Graham Yallop
1985	India	painting	18,146	77,715	Alan Border
1986	England	England won by 14 runs	58,203	107,817	Gladstone Little
1987	New Zealand	painting	51,807	127,184	Richard Hadley
1990	England	Australia wins by 9 wickets	49,763	129,530	Bruce Reed
1991	India	Australia won by 8 wickets	42,494	89,369	Bruce Reed
1992	west indies	Australia won by 139 runs	28,397	83,320	Shane Warne
1993	South Africa	painting	15,604	48,565	Mark Taylor
1995	Sri Lanka	Australia win by 10 wickets	55,239	105,388	Glenn McGrath
1996	west indies	West Indies win by 6 wickets	72,891	131,671	Ambrose briefly
1997	South Africa	painting	73,812	160,182	See more : Optical Illusion IQ Test: Can You Locate The Hidden Frog Inside The Lotus Pond? Jacques Callis
1998	England	England won by 12 points	61,580	159,031	Dean Headley
1999	India	Australia won by 180 runs	49,082	134,554	Sachin Tendulkar
2000	west indies	Australia won by 352 runs	73,233	133,299	Steve Waugh
2001	South Africa	Australia wins by 9 wickets	61,796	153,025	Matthew Hayden
2002	England	Australia wins by 5 wickets	64,189	177,658	Justin Lange
2003	India	Australia wins by 9 wickets	62,613	179,662	Ricky Ponting
2004	Pakistan	Australia wins by 9 wickets	61,552	129,079	Damian Martin
2005	South Africa	Australia won by 184 runs	71,910	192,338	Michael Hussey
2006	England	Australia won by 99 runs in an innings	89,155	244,351	Shane Warne
2007	India	Australia won by 337 runs	68,465	166,663	Matthew Hayden
2008	South Africa	South Africa won by 9 wickets	63,263	174,246	Dale Stein
2009	Pakistan	Australia won by 170 runs	59,206	156,267	Shane Watson
2010	England	England won by an innings and 157 runs	84,345	240,156	Jonathan Trotter
2011	India	Australia won by 122 runs	70,068	189,347	James Pattinson
2012	Sri Lanka	Australia won by 1 innings and 201 runs	67,138	137,455	Mitchell Johnson
2013	England	Australia won by 8 wickets	91,112	271,865	Mitchell Johnson
2014	India	painting	69,993	194,481	Ryan Harris
2015	west indies	Australia won by 177 runs	53,389	127,069	Nathan Lyon
2016	Pakistan	Australia won by 18 runs	63,478	142,188	Steve Smith
2017	England	painting	88,173	261,335	Alastair Cook
2018	India	India wins by 137 runs	73,516	176,539	Jasprit Bumrah
2019	New Zealand	Australia won by 247 runs	80,473	203,472	Travis Hyde
2020	India	India wins by 8 wickets	27,615	89,472	Ajinkya Lahani
2021	England	Australia won by 14 runs	57,100	140,671	Scott Boland
2022	South Africa	Australia won by an innings and 182 runs	64,876	155,714	David Warner
2023	Pakistan	Australia won by 79 runs	62,167	164,835	Pat Cummins
2024	India	–	–	–	–
2025	England	–	–	–	–
2026	New Zealand	–	–	–	–

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Border Gavaskar Trophy Boxing Day Test 2024

The upcoming BGT 2024 Boxing Day Test will be a highlight of the series as India will take on Australia at the MCG. This game is sure to bring intense competition and unforgettable moments as both teams aim for dominance.

The Boxing Day Test is more than just a cricket match; It is a celebration of tradition, culture and sportsmanship. For India, these matches are both challenges and triumphs, symbolizing their growth as a cricketing power. As BGT 2024 approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this legendary tradition.

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India’s record in Boxing Day Test matches

India’s record in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) reflects India’s resilience and challenges. In nine games, India has registered two historic wins, both against Australia: 137 runs in 2018, driven by Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant bowling Victories; Led by Ajinkya Rahane’s inspiring century, India registered 8 wins in 2020. Here is a list:

Year	result	audience	Attendance	Medal of Mulla
1985	painting	18,146	77,715	Alan Border
1991	Australia won by 8 wickets	42,494	89,369	Bruce Reed
1999	Australia won by 180 runs	49,082	134,554	Sachin Tendulkar
2003	Australia wins by 9 wickets	62,613	179,662	Ricky Ponting
2007	Australia won by 337 runs	68,465	166,663	Matthew Hayden
2011	Australia won by 122 runs	70,068	189,347	James Pattinson
2014	painting	69,993	194,481	Ryan Harris
2018	India wins by 137 runs	73,516	176,539	Jasprit Bumrah
2020	India wins by 8 wickets	27,615	89,472	Ajinkya Lahani

Despite these successes, India suffered five defeats, including heavy losses in 1999, 2003 and 2007, when Australia dominated with superb performances. The remaining two encounters were in 1985 and 2014, both ending in fierce draws. These Boxing Day Tests highlight India’s changing prowess in the overseas environment, particularly in recent years, as they have shown the ability to challenge and overcome Australia’s dominance at the MCG.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion