Cricket Australia CEO rejects calls for big ‘Boxing Day’ Test change

Nick Hockley and Australian team. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images and Twitter)

The Boxing Day Test match in Australia is special due to several reasons. Since 1980, the Boxing Day Test has always been played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Over the years, fans have come in handsome numbers to the MCG to witness teams play some fantastic cricket in the Boxing Day Test. Australia and Pakistan are currently playing the second of a three-match Test series in Melbourne. This encounter began on Boxing Day (December 26).

Sports broadcaster Gerard Whateley has pushed the idea of starting the Boxing Day Test later in the day, shifting from the traditional 10.30 am AEDT start – suggesting a midday start would be superior. It would allow for play to go through until 7 pm. On Tuesday, December 26, play went on till 7 pm between Australia and Pakistan due to rain delays.

On Tuesday, 34,000 fans were in attendance ahead of the first ball. The number increased to 52,000 later in the day, and after lunch, it exceeded 60,000. However, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO, Nick Hockley, rejected the idea to push the start time, giving tradition more importance.

“The great thing is we got to play through until 7 pm last night (after the rain). Even for those who had a bit of a lie in, I’m really thrilled that – credit to the ground staff – people got back on,” Hockley said on SEN.

“That’s something you’ll keep advocating for but traditional is a wonderful thing. You had two wonderful Big Bash matches to watch later on,” he added.

Total attendance reduced on Boxing Day fixture compared to the previous record

Notably, the final attendance on Boxing Day was 62,167. It failed to go past the previous record against Pakistan of 63,478 in 2016. Only 66 overs of play was possible on Day 1. Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first. The hosts finished the day on 187/3, having lost the wickets of David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Steve Smith. Australia have a 1-0 lead in the three-match series as they won the first Test by 360 runs in Perth.