Sydney, Jan 2 (IANS) Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) curator Adam Lewis said he is satisfied with the colour of the pitch ahead of the fifth Ashes Test starting on January 4. It comes on the back of scrutiny that followed after the fourth Ashes game ended in just two days.The SCG wicket has come under intense focus after the International Cricket Council (ICC) handed the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) an unsatisfactory rating following England’s four-wicket victory coming inside two days.“I don’t …
Latest Boxing Day Test News & Updates
Sydney, Jan 1 (IANS) Australia have named an unchanged squad from the Boxing Day Test for the upcoming final Test of the Ashes series, though conditions at the SCG could still prompt changes to the final XI. The match is set to begin on January 4 here at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon as the Australian team assembled in Sydney for their first training session following last week’s four-wicket defeat to England. The Melbourne Test ended inside two day…
Melbourne, Dec 29 (IANS) Head coach Andrew McDonald was wary of making too many changes for the series finale, with valuable ICC World Test Championship points at stake as the Aussies strive for a third successive appearance in the final.The Aussies travel to the SCG for the fifth Test of the series, holding an unassailable 3-1 advantage, but the side will be keen to atone for the disappointing four-wicket loss to England in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.”WTC is something that we aim and stri…
Melbourne, Dec 28 (IANS) Australia stand-in skipper Steve Smith gave his take on the MCG wicket after the Boxing Day Test lasted just two days, with England winning by four wickets. He said that had the 10mm grass been 2mm shorter, it might have made a difference in the match.The Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch came under the scanner after the Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England finished in two days. As many as 36 wickets fell in 142 overs. It lasted for 952 balls, just five more …
Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) A record total of 162,408 fans attended Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Big Bash League 15 matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium. Friday’s attendance shattered the record set 12 months ago when 152,375 fans came through the gates on Boxing Day 2024. All three matches set attendance records, showcasing the strength and popularity of Australia’s national sport.In Melbourne, a crowd of 94,199 watched 20 wickets fall in t…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) Former England pacer Stuart Broad was not impressed with the condition of the MCG pitch on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, as the former England pacer said that “the amount of movement that this pitch has shown” has indicated that there is “something really wrong”. Following the sensational bowling performance from English fast bowler Josh Tongue, who picked up superb figures of 5-45 during Australia’s first innings of 152, with the hosts responding in style to skittle Eng…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) Australia held a 46-run lead on day one of the Boxing Day Test after the hosts were bowled out for 152 and England replied with an even limper 110 as a record 20 wickets fell on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.The last time 20 or more wickets fell on the first day of an Ashes Test in Australia was back in 1901-02, an era where cricket was played on uncovered pitches.After England won the toss and opted to field first,…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) have recorded a massive attendance of 94,199 fans on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, marking the highest crowd ever recorded for a cricket match at the venue. The historic crowd surpassed the previous record of 93,013, set during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand.It also established a new record for the highest attended single day of Test cricket, eclipsing the 91,112 spectators who attende…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has not ruled out the possibility of a day-night Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The MCG held a women’s day-night Test match in January 2025; in addition, the venue will host Australia and England’s 150th Anniversary Test under lights in March 2027.Melbourne hosted the inaugural Boxing Day Test in 1950. Since then CA holds contractual rights to use the MCG until the end of March each summer, despite the …
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) Josh Tongue scripted history after he became the first England bowler this century to claim a five-wicket haul in Men’s Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Friday. Tongue picked up 5-45 during Australia’s first innings of 152 all out. Reeling 3-0 in the series, Tongue’s efforts helped England bowled out Australia for 152 in their first innings of the Boxing Day Test.It was the first time an England bowler had claimed a five-wicket haul in a Test at the MCG sinc…