Top Boxing Day Test Controversies - A Fascinating History

The History of Boxing Day Test

Before discussing , the top Boxing Day Test controversies, we will glance why this event and where takes place. The Boxing Day Test match is an annual cricket event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, featuring the Australian cricket team and a touring international team during the southern summer. Commencing each year on December 26 at the renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the event typically concludes on or before December 30. The most renowned Boxing Day Test is held at the MCG, with the tradition dating back to the 1950–51 Ashes Test series. Since 1975, each match has awarded an official Player of the Match, and from 2020 onwards, the recipient receives the Mullagh Medal, honoring Indigenous Australian cricketer Johnny Mullagh.

The Inaugural International Boxing Day Test

The tradition traces back to 1892 when the MCG hosted a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales during the Christmas season, leading to the day being termed ‘Boxing Day.’ The inaugural international Boxing Day Test at the MCG occurred in 1950 between England and Australia, though it commenced on December 22. The established tradition of starting the Boxing Day Test on December 26 originated in 1980, with its roots dating back to the 1892 Sheffield Shield match.

Notable Moments

Notable moments in the history of the Boxing Day Test include:

The inaugural Boxing Day Test in 1950 featuring Australia and England.
The resumption of Boxing Day Tests in 1967 against India at the Adelaide Oval, starting on December 23.
The return of the Boxing Day Test to the MCG the following year against the West Indies, adhering to its traditional date.
A hiatus in Boxing Day Tests from 1953 to 1966.
Annual Boxing Day Tests in Australia since 1980, commencing on December 26, with exceptions in 1984, 1988, and 1994 when Tests started before Christmas and resumed after.
In 1989, an ODI game replaced the customary Test match at the MCG.

Despite the Boxing Day Test being a prominent fixture in the Australian cricket calendar, there have been occasional controversies. These include variations in the start date, interruptions in the annual tradition in 1984, 1988, and 1994, and the replacement of the traditional Test with an ODI in 1989. Nevertheless, the Boxing Day Test remains a significant and eagerly anticipated event, drawing large crowds and involving various international teams, including India in 2011, 2014, and 2018.

Frilled with Controversies

The Cameron Bancroft sandpaper scandal

The sandpaper scandal

What is the Boxing Day?

The term “Boxing Day” has its roots in Victorian-era Britain, and its inception is linked to the custom of presenting gifts to servants, tradespeople, and those in need on December 26, the day following Christmas. The name “Boxing Day” has several theories regarding its origin:

Gift-giving: The term “Boxing Day” may have originated from the tradition of gifting boxes containing money or goods to the less fortunate. These boxes were commonly positioned in churches to encourage charitable contributions.
Charity initiatives: Some propose that “Boxing Day” alludes to the practice of raising funds for the underprivileged through charity initiatives. Churches would place a box inside on Christmas Day, to be opened on Boxing Day, facilitating donations for charitable causes.
Nautical custom: Another theory posits that “Boxing Day” is connected to a nautical tradition where ships carried a sealed box filled with money for good luck. This box would be handed to a priest, opened during Christmas, and the contents distributed to those in need.

In contemporary times, Boxing Day is observed in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and others. It has evolved into a day marked by shopping festivities and serves as a significant occasion for diverse sporting events.

Boxing Day Test Controversies

There have been some controversies related to the Boxing Day Test match over the years. Some of them are:

Pitch conditions

In the 2017 Boxing Day Test match between Australia and England, the pitch conditions were criticized by both teams, with some players calling it “dangerous”.

COVID-19 pandemic

The 2020 Boxing Day Test match between Australia and India was almost cancelled due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian team threatened to boycott the match if they were not allowed to leave their hotel rooms during their quarantine period.

Tim Pain Run out

The Australian Captain Tim Pain was not given out by the third umpire and that sparked another controversy during India’s tour of Australia. The replays showed him out but the umpire favoured him considered by the Indian fans. However, he soon got out cheaply.

Rizwan Caught out Controversy

The Boxing Day test at the MCG took a controversial turn on day four when the dismissal of Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan shifted the momentum in Australia’s favor in the 2023 series. At that crucial moment, Pakistan needed 98 runs to win with five wickets in hand. Rizwan, who was on 35 and had formed a crucial 59-run partnership with Agha Salman, saw his innings come to an end. The third umpire upheld a review for a caught-behind decision, overturning the initial on-field not-out call. This turn of events added a layer of controversy to the match and significantly impacted Pakistan’s chances in the game.

Conclusion

Despite these controversies, the Boxing Day Test match remains a popular and highly anticipated event in the cricket calendar, attracting large crowds and generating significant media attention.