Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test has been identified alongside Perth as two of the most underperforming games on the cricket calendar - not because of bumper crowds on December 26,but for the sharp drop-off afterwards.
In a fiery postscript to Australia’s series-sealing 79-run victory at the MCG,Pakistan coach Mohammad Hafeez said the tourists had been the better side and would have won if not for several line-ball calls that had fallen in Australia’s favour.
Two modernising captains have set the tone for this series,but when the crunch came,it was a good cricketer succumbing to an all-time great.
Captain Pat Cummins led the way to victory for Australia in a thrilling 79-run win against a spirited Pakistan side in the second Test at the MCG.
Follow along for all the major moments and reactions as Australia and Pakistan face off on day four of the Boxing Day Test from the MCG.
The Australians triumphed in a scrap on the fourth evening at the MCG,and have room for improvement next year.
Pakistan deal themselves into the Boxing Day Test,and out of it,and just possibly back in again,all in a typical Pakistan day.
He fell agonisingly short of a century,but it’s no easy thing to bat as courageously as Mitchell Marsh does for Australia - certainly not at 4-16
Australia collapsed to 4-16 before being rescued by a 153-run partnership by Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith.
Australia and Pakistan continue the Boxing Day Test. Follow along for all the action as day three plays out at the MCG.
High farce combined with high drama as the two worst shots of the Test combined with the two best balls of the series to suddenly make the MCG match a contest of true intensity.