Historic Turnout: Boxing Day Test Sets New Attendance Record at the MCG

 

A record for MCG

Historic Turnout: Boxing Day Test Sets New Attendance Record at the MCG

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has once again showcased the enduring charm of Test cricket. The ongoing Boxing Day Test has shattered the previous record for attendance in Test cricket on Australian soil, with over 351,104 spectators flocking to the iconic venue over five days.

This surpasses the long-standing record set in 1937, also at the MCG, during a Test match between Australia and England. That historic game drew 350,534 fans, with Australia securing a commanding victory by 365 runs. The new milestone reaffirms the MCG’s status as a hub of cricketing tradition and the timeless allure of the game's longest format.

Australia Dominate in Melbourne to Take Series Lead

Australia sealed an 184-run victory over India in the Melbourne Test, bundling out the visitors for 155 after a collapse of 7 wickets for 34 runs. Cummins' team leads the Border-Gavaskar series 2-1 with this win. The decisive fifth Test begins on January 3 in Sydney.

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South Africa Awaits Opponent for Test Championship Final

South Africa has already secured their spot in the Test Championship final after defeating Pakistan. Now, the focus shifts to the race for the second finalist, with three teams still in contention: Australia, India, and Sri Lanka.

Australia: The Front-Runners

Australia’s dominant performance, including a win in the Melbourne Test, has put them in a strong position. They currently have 61.46% of possible points. A win in the final Test of the series in Sydney will guarantee them a spot in the final.

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Even if Australia doesn't win in Sydney, a single victory in their subsequent two-match series against Sri Lanka would suffice. Effectively, Pat Cummins' team needs to win just one of their three remaining matches to book their place.

· If Australia wins the Sydney Test but loses 0-2 to Sri Lanka, their points will drop to 57.02%. In this scenario, Sri Lanka (53.85%) and India (50.00%) will both fall short.

· If the Sydney Test ends in a draw, Australia remains ahead of India but gives Sri Lanka a lifeline. Sri Lanka can claim the final spot by defeating Australia 2-0 at home, achieving 53.85%, compared to Australia’s 53.51%.

India: The Tough Path

India faces an uphill battle. Their chances hinge on defeating Australia in the Sydney Test. A win would take India’s points to 55.26%. However, their fate would still depend on the outcome of the Australia-Sri Lanka series.

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For India to advance, they must:

1. Beat Australia in Sydney.

2. Hope Australia doesn’t win a single match against Sri Lanka.

Any slip-up in Sydney would eliminate India from contention.

Sri Lanka: The Underdogs

Sri Lanka’s hopes are slim but not impossible. If the Sydney Test doesn’t end in a draw, Sri Lanka will be eliminated before they even face Australia.

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However, if the Sydney Test is drawn, Sri Lanka has a chance. To qualify, they must defeat Australia 2-0 at home. This result would boost their points to 53.85%, enough to edge out Australia (53.51%) for the final spot.

Conclusion

Australia remains in control of their destiny, while India and Sri Lanka need a combination of victories and favorable results in other matches. The final race is heating up, and all eyes are on Sydney as the battle for the second spot intensifies.

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World Test Championship (2023-2025): Points Table

Pos	Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Drawn	NR	Points	PCT
1	South Africa	11	7	3	1	0	88	66.670
2	Australia	16	10	4	2	0	118	61.460
3	India	18	9	7	2	0	114	52.780
4	New Zealand	14	7	7	0	0	81	48.210
5	Srilanka	11	5	6	0	0	60	45.450
6	England	22	11	10	1	0	114	43.180
7	Bangladesh	12	4	8	0	0	45	31.250
8	Pakistan	11	4	7	0	0	40	30.300
9	West Indies	11	2	7	2	0	32	24.240

 In the WTC 2023-2025, teams will get 12 points for a win, 4 for a draw, and 6 for a tie. Points percentage system (PCT) will be used to determine the leaderboard. PCT = points won by a team / points contested * 100.

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