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Boxing Day Test Match: History, Records, And Current Match

Boxing Day Test Match: History, Records, And Current Match

A boxing day test match which has a long history is still known by few people across the world. If you are a cricket fan, you must have heard of this term around Christmas. But what exactly is boxing day test cricket? Well, it is part of the cricket tradition which is played every year on 26 December, the day after Christmas. Cricket fans around the world witness this amazing test match which signifies the return of the action on the field. In this blog, we will walk you through boxing day test history, rules, records, and test match playing between teams. Get ready to witness this amazing traditional day of cricket.

What Is The Boxing Day Test Match?

Boxing Day which is celebrated on 26 December every year is an indication of the return of sport action on the pitch. It is popular in all sports over the world but highly popular in cricket. The Boxing Day test match originated in the United Kingdom and was played between Australia and England in 1950. 

Since then, it has become a prominent part of the cricket calendar and played in various countries. In Australia, a Boxing Day test match is played on Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG) between the host(Australia) and the team touring the country. Apart from Australia, Boxing Day test match is also played in South Africa every year.

History Of Boxing Day Test Cricket

The history of the Boxing Day test match gives a glimpse of its origin at the birthplace of cricket. In 1865, an unofficial match was played at MCG which was a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales. It is known as Boxing Day match as due to the scheduled days of cricket most of the players missed spending Christmas with their families which is one of the least-known cricket facts.

Talking about the historical and cultural significance of Boxing Day test matches, it draws a frequent crowd and contributes significant revenue to the cricket boards. In the modern era, it has become a tradition as part of the Christmas holidays. 

Rules For Boxing Day Test Match

There are no specific rules for the boxing day test match. All the rules of the test matches apply to this special cricket match. However, the board can change the rules of this test match per circumstance. The same happened during the Boxing Day test match played between South Africa and Zimbabwe when the test match was played during day and night. In 1989, an ODI match was played between Australia and Sri Lanka instead of a test match on Boxing Day.

Primary Participants In Boxing Day Test Matches

Over the years, Australia and South Africa have been the primary countries where Boxing Day test matches are held every year. The cricket team of these countries plays this test match with the team that comes on the tour. On the other hand, boxing day tests are often played at Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG) of Australia and SuperSport Park in Centurion every year. MCG which is one of the world’s largest cricket grounds has been hosting Boxing Day test matches since 1950. Countries which already played a boxing test match are as follows:

  • England
  • South Africa
  • West Indies
  • New Zealand
  • Pakistan
  • India
  • Australia
  • Sri Lanka

Overall Stats Of The Boxing Day Test Matches

An overview of the stats of the Boxing Day test matches involves an attendance of 100,000 spectators in an inaugural match between Australia and England in 1950. It was the Ashes’ second test which was played on boxing day. In this match, Australia won the match by 48 runs.

In 47 boxing test matches played, Australia has a record of 28 wins, 10 losses, and 9 draws. After Australia, England is the second most successful team with 4 wins, India, West Indies, and South Africa with 2 wins. The biggest win in boxing test match history was the name of the West Indies which defeated Australia by 258 runs in 1988.

Who Is Playing A Boxing Test Match In 2023?

As it is the Christmas season, cricket is also celebrated in Australia and South Africa. In the 2023 boxing test match, Australia is playing against Pakistan in MCG ground while South Africa is playing against India at SuperSport Park in Centurion. However, the first day of the match between Australia and Pakistan was delayed due to the rain which made fans disappointed. However, fans were enjoyed as the MCG ground filled with more than 62,000 spectators.

On the other hand, a boxing day test match between South Africa and India was called off due to the rain and bad light. In the first innings, India managed to cross 200 on the board with KL Rahul’s determined innings. Attendance at South Africa’s SuperSport Park can be seen less compared to Australia’s MCG ground.

Boxing Day Test Cricket- A Way To Celebrate Cricket After Christmas

The fan following of cricket across the world makes yearly events like Boxing Day test matches successful every year. Like the previous years, the Boxing Day Test 2023 also witnessed high attendance in MCG and SuperSport Park. On December 26, a boxing day test match was played between Australia vs Pakistan and South Africa vs India which still continues. We hope you now have a better idea about the Boxing Day test. For reading more blogs on Cricket, Football, Boxing, etc, subscribe to SportsnScoop now.

FAQs

The first boxing test match was played in 1950 between Australia and England. It was won by Australia with 28 runs.

Yes, Boxing Day test matches are played every year on 26 December a day after Christmas in Australia and South Africa.

The boxing day test is currently played between Australia vs Pakistan and South Africa vs India.

In 2024, the Boxing Day test will be played between Australia and India.

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