New Delhi: Boxing Day is traditionally known to be the first day after the Christmas, which is December 26, where the wealthy families provide gifts to the less fortunate. Gifting boxes are packed and distributed in the countries that celebrate Christmas.
Sporting activities often held on the day of December 26 are considered as Boxing Day Test matches. In England, all the Premier League matches are played on the Boxing Day, which is during the Christmas holidays. The sporting activities during Boxing Day are said to attract more crowds as it is a leisure activities for public to observe on the day.
Boxing Day Test matches
The sport of cricket has traditionally observed the Boxing Day to hold Test matches. The nature of the Test match is a five-day period but the first day of the action commences on December 26. For the five days of that match, it will be called Boxing Day Test match.
The Boxing Day Tests are particularly famous in Australia and South Africa. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne (Australia) and SuperSport Park in Centurion are the two venues known to host the Boxing Day Test matches.
This year also it won’t be different as Australia will host India for the fourth Test at the MCG while South Africa will start their two-match Test series against Pakistan in Centurion. The cricket fans in these countries flock to the stadiums in huge number to spend some leisure time with their family and friends.
The origin of Boxing Day Test
The ritual of the Boxing Day Test is backdated to 1950s, though it wasn’t categorically known then. Australia and England are said to have played the first Boxing Day Test on December 22, 1950. It is the match between Victoria and New South Wales in Sheffield Shield in 1865 that was said to be the first Boxing-Day Test in Australia.
The Boxing Day Tests are considered to draw larger sum of revenues for the host cricket board as more families attend these matches. It also celebrates the culture in Australia and South Africa with several communities involved into it.
Australia and South Africa will host India and Pakistan, respectively, for the traditional Boxing Day Test matches this year. We try to make you understand the significance of the Boxing Day Test matches and its history. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
