Boxing Day Cricket

The modern Australian summer of Australian cricket is not the same without the annual Boxing Day test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This edition of the Boxing Day test match is between Australia and South Africa for the second test match in this series between the two countries. This also doubles up as part of the 2021-23 World Test Championship (WTC) where points are on the line over a two-year period and the top two nations play in the WTC final at Lord's to determine the championship winner. South Africa leading into this summer's series are sitting in second place and Australia are sitting on top of the WTC table. This series is hotly anticipated to be quite the battle between two historically strong test cricket nations and will have two strong sides showing their skills and talents in front of an international-starved cricket viewing public after the first taste of the return of international cricket the previous summer.

Warm day in Melbourne and an absolutely great day for cricket at an iconic cricket stadium, Australian captain Pat Cummins made the decision to field first and I felt that this was an unusual decision as the wicket is looking good and ideal to bat first. Though he knew what he was doing as the Australians were too good in the field and their bowling was too good for the visitors and they just could not get going and were all out on the first day for 185. The Australians in reply started off shakily making 45 runs and losing one wicket early. Cameron Green showed how promising he is and that this young cricketer is destined for more test cricket as well as a promising test cricket future by taking 5 wickets and restricting the South African middle and lower order. But it was just a comprehensive bowling and fielding performance from the Australians who put on a world class clinic for 65 thousand fans.

As it was a warm day at the cricket, I opted to have many refreshments, though I opted to not have any alcoholic beverages as I didn't want to become somewhat inebriated and suffer under the Melbournian summer sun as my seats were under constant sun all day. The cokes were 5.50 each with the Powerade's being rather expensive at 7.50 with water equally as expensive at 6 dollars. The food was rather nice with a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich at 14 dollars and a Guinness pie and chips at 17 dollars. The chips were nicely salted and no need to have them drowned in sauce. The pie was delicious and piping hot, so took a while to get through it but again, no need to have it with sauce it was that delicious. The pastry was nice, fluffy and flakey with the mince was full of flavour and the sauce just was hitting the spot with the pastry crumbling in the mouth upon each bite. Drumsticks were a bit pricey at 6 dollars but were a treat in the Melbournian warmth.

It was my second ever Boxing Day test match in Melbourne and my first visit to Melbourne in seven years so it was great to see the city and to watch test cricket again. Australia put on a show on day one of this match and I hope that there is a contest between these two teams, though we will have to wait and see how that will pan out. Hopefully I shall be back much sooner to watch another Boxing Day match, though we will have to see what the future holds for the Punctual Football Fan. Thank you, Melbourne, for a great day of cricket.