New Delhi: The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday recorded the highest attendance for the Boxing-Day Test on the fourth day of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test between India and Australia. A massive turnout of 43, 867 people in the stands, making it a big moment for the venue. With this mark, the overall attendance of the ongoing Test match has reached to 299, 329 fans across all four days of action.
This has surpassed the previous highest aggregate attendance of 271,855 for a Boxing-Day Test match in Australia, which was recorded during the 2013 Ashes match against England. The Boxing Day is a day which follows the Christmas celebrations, which is December 26 according to the traditions.
The matches played on the aforementioned date are called as ‘Boxing Day matches’. Countries such as South Africa and Australia host Test matches, starting on the following day of Christmas, and hence they are known to be the Boxing Day Test even though the match is determined by December 30.
India-Australia Boxing Day Test gets intriguing after fourth day action
The fightback from India’s lower order reduced Australia’s lead to 105 runs in the first innings thanks to gritty efforts from Nitish Kumar Reddy (114). The bowlers didn’t miss the opportunity and capitalised with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj stepping up with their immaculate lengths to dismantle the batting order of the hosts. Australia were reduced to 85 for 5 with the likes of Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Travis Head back in the hut.
Marnus Labuschage hold firm at one end to score back-to-back fifties in the Boxing Day Test. The Australia No.3 showed dogged resistance as only three boundaries were plundered from his willow, but he dealt more in singles and doubles to keep the runs ticking in. He was trapped before the wickets by Siraj and Alex Carey couldn’t add contributions lower in the order after getting cleaned up by Bumrah.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins made 41 runs off 90 to hold the ship before Nathan Lyon (41*) and Scott Boland (10*) added an unbeaten 51-run stand to take their side’s lead past 300. Australia were batting at 228 for 9 after the stumps on Day 4 with a substantial lead of 333.
The previous highest aggregate attendance of 271,855 for a Boxing-Day Test match in Australia, which was recorded during the 2013 Ashes match against England. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
