Boxing day test match
Sunday, July 26th, 2009The Boxing Day test match is perhaps the one single, most popular match in the cricketing fraternity. This test match is held annually in Australia on December 26 at the Melbourne cricket ground, Victoria. The summer cricket season continues in Australia every year starting from November and ends in January. Every year, the touring team for summer is out through a tough battle against the home team.
The first Boxing Day test match was held in the year 1950 and the home team won the game by 28 runs. But it was not held continuously. It was only from 1980 that the Boxing Day test match became regularity. This test match is hugely popular among the Australian cricket fans. Every year witnesses a full house, with thousands thronging the stadium to cheer their home team.
Australia has won the last 9 Boxing Day matches, and is currently playing against South Africa now. Having lost the previous match, it now remains to be seen if they can march ahead and clinch the tenth win. This match has been evenly contested by both teams and the home team must pull it back to stay alive in this series.
Boxing Day matches are also held at other countries like New Zealand and South Africa, but none can match the hype and popularity of the Australian one. I am also keenly following this match and I will update about it in my coming posts.

