Boxing Day News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Had it been 2mm shorter, it might have been alright: Smith gives his take on under-fire MCG pitch
Melbourne, Dec 28: Australia stand-in skipper Steve Smith gave his take on the MCG wicket after the Boxing Day Test lasted just two days, with England winning by four wickets. He said that had the 10mm grass been 2mm shorter, it might have made a difference in the match.
MCG chief curator 'in state of shock' after two-day Boxing Day Test pitch debacle
Melbourne, Dec 28: Melbourne Cricket Ground chief curator Matt Page has expressed disappointment after the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG ended in two days, with the latter saying he was in a "state of shock" watching the Boxing Day Test end.
MCG chief curator "in state of shock" as he breaks silence at two-day Test
Melbourne, December 28: The Melbourne Cricket Ground chief curator Matt Page broke his silence on the much-criticised, talked-about strip used for the fourth Boxing Day Ashes Test, admitting he was in a "state of shock" after witnessing 20 wickets tumble on day one and hoped he is "never involved like this" again.
England's MCG Boxing Day win: 'Gen next' of Bethel, Brooke, Tongue set tone for team's future
Melbourne, December 28: Finally, a victory in front of their team's name for England's beleagured cricket team. The total dominance by Australia in their own backyard finally came to an end after 14 years and over 5,400 days as England finally won an Ashes Test in Australia, that too a Boxing Day one in front of a jam-packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Joe Root becomes 9th cricketer to score 22,000 international runs
Melbourne, December 27: England star batter Joe Root hit another milestone in cricket as he became only the ninth batter to score 22,000 international runs. Joe Root scored 15 runs in the second innings of the fourth Australia vs England Test of the ongoing Ashes series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to achieve the feat.
Ashes: A look at records during fourth Test at MCG
Melbourne, December 27: The Ben Stokes-led England registered a memorable four-wicket win against Australia in the fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. The visitors registered their first victory on the tour as the five-match series now stands at 3-1, with Australia already having pocketed the Ashes.
Not good for finances: Steve Smith after Boxing Day Test ended in just 2 days
Melbourne, December 27: Steve Smith, Australia's stand-in captain in Pat Cummins' absence during the ongoing Ashes series, reflected on the Boxing Day Ashes Test that got over in just two days and admitted it's not suitable for the "finances".
"Offered little too much": Steve Smith on MCG pitch after defeat in Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 27: Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith reflected on the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch that saw the Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England get over in just two days, with 36 wickets falling. He called the pitch a "tricky one" and said that it offered a bit too much to the bowlers.
"Even if he gets...": Ben Stokes reveals why Brydon Carse was sent number three at Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 27: England captain Ben Stokes has opened up about the decision to send Brydon Carse at the number three position during the second innings of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
Ashes: England captain reflects on team's landmark Boxing Day Test win
Melbourne, December 27: England skipper Ben Stokes breaks down England's MCG win as pretty special as the tourists finally ended a 15-year wait for a Test win on Australian soil, according to the official website of the International Cricket Council.
Boxing Day Test joins rare list as England down Australia inside two days
Melbourne, December 27: England finally found their way back into the Ashes series with a four-wicket victory over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a match that stood out not just for the result but for several rare statistical milestones. Despite the defeat, Australia continue to hold the Ashes and lead the series 3-1.
"I was potentially retiring...": Josh Tongue opens up after England's historic win at Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 27: England finally found their way back into the Ashes series with a memorable four-wicket victory over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Although the Ashes had already been decided, the win helped England regain confidence, with Australia still leading the series 3-1.
"If we had managed that extra 50-60...": Aussie skipper Smith laments lack of runs following Boxing Day Test loss to England
Melbourne, December 27: Following his side's loss to England in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, Australian skipper Steve Smith said that getting "extra 50 or 60 runs" could have helped his side, and the pitch did "a bit more than it intended".
NZ, SA close in gap as Australia remain on top of WTC points table
Melbourne, Dec 27: England registered a Boxing Day comeback win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, clinching a famous four-wicket victory over Australia to register their first Test win on Australian soil in 19 matches and breathe new life into the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–2027 race.
"Learning from moments that went well": Bethell reflects on match-winning role in Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 27: England finally found something to cheer about in a tough Ashes campaign as they registered a four-wicket win over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While the Ashes had already slipped away, the victory helped England claw back some pride, with Australia still leading the series 3-1.
Jinx broken too late: England snap 18-match winless streak in Australia, seal MCG Boxing Day Test in two days
Melbourne, December 27: On an absolute bowling heaven at Melbourne Cricket Ground, England, though having lost the Ashes to Australia, broke their 18-match winless streak Down Under with a four-wicket win over the hosts in the Boxing Day Test on the second day of the fourth Test on Saturday.
CA achieve record attendance on a single day across MCG, SCG and Perth
Melbourne, Dec 27: A record total of 162,408 fans attended Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Big Bash League 15 matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium.
Premier League: Manchester United beats Newcastle to move up to fifth
London, Dec 27: A depleted Manchester United climbed back into the Premier League's top five with a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday at Old Trafford, sealed by Patrick Dorgu's stunning volley.
Ashes, 4th Test: Aussies lose six wickets, England smell opportunity of snapping winless streak in Australia (Day 2, Lunch)
Melbourne, December 27: Another dominant display by bowling side, particularly fiery spells from Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue left Australia in tatters with six of their wickets down and England smelling an opportunity of breaking their 18-match winless run in Australia in the Ashes at the end of the first session of day two of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne on Saturday.
Ashes 2025-26: We had to just be patient and let the wicket do the work, says Neser after all-round performance
Melbourne, Dec 26: Michael Neser described patience and discipline as the key to success after his standout all-round display on Boxing Day at the MCG helped Australia seize control of the fourth Test of the five-match Ashes series against England in Melbourne on Friday.
Josh Tongue backs England's batting approach after 110-run collapse on Boxing Day
Melbourne, December 26: England pacer Josh Tongue enjoyed his outing on Day 1 of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as he became the first England bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Boxing Day Test. However, England's batting remained their weak point in the series as they got all out for just 110 runs in reply to Australia's 152 on a happening Melbourne pitch. Tongue defended England's batting, saying it's how the Three Lions play.
"Cricket is funny game": Michael Neser reflects on Boxing Day heroics after uncertain Test journey
Melbourne, December 26: Australia pacer Michael Neser helped the Aussies place themselves as firm favourites on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground itself. He expressed delight at playing a crucial role for the team in front of the massive MCG crowd.
Ashes: Australia take 46-run lead as 20 wickets fall on Day 1 of MCG Test
Melbourne, Dec 26: Australia held a 46-run lead on day one of the Boxing Day Test after the hosts were bowled out for 152 and England replied with an even limper 110 as a record 20 wickets fell on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
"There's a ball coming with your name on it": Ex-Aussie, England legends on MCG pitch after 74-year first happens on day one of Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 26: Former cricketers from both Australia and England raised questions over the quality of the pitch on day one of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground as for the first time in around 74 years, a total of 20 wickets fell on opening day of a Test match in Australia.
Ashes: MCG breaks 2015 WC final record with 94199 attendance on Boxing day Test
Melbourne, Dec 26: The Melbourne Cricket Ground have recorded a massive attendance of 94,199 fans on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, marking the highest crowd ever recorded for a cricket match at the venue.
Cricket Australia CEO says hosting of day-night Boxing Day Test at MCG is 'not off the cards'
Melbourne, Dec 26: Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has not ruled out the possibility of a day-night Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Ashes, 4th Test: England pacer Tongue, Aussie quicks Boland, Neser shine on bowling paradise at MCG as England trails by 42 runs (Day 1, Stumps)
Melbourne, December 26: Fiery bowling spells from Michael Neser and hometown hero Scott Boland helped Australia regain their footing in the Boxing Day Test after a short batting stint, leaving England behind at the end of the first day of the fourth Test at Melbourne, in what was a bowling paradise for both teams.
No-ball drama in Boxing Day Test fuels fresh Ashes controversy
Melbourne, Dec 26: The opening day of the Boxing Day Test witnessed a controversy involving the third umpire once again when Brydon Carse dismissed Mitchell Starc on an alleged no ball.
Josh Tongue becomes first English bowler to take Test fifer in MCG in 21st century
Melbourne, December 26: England pacer Josh Tongue made history, as he became the first bowler from his team to take a five-wicket haul during the prestigious Boxing Day Test fixture at Melbourne Cricket Ground in the 21st century, playing a crucial role in cutting short Australia's innings to just two sessions on the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday.
Ashes 4th Test: Tongue's fifer ends Australia's first innings for 152 runs at MCG (Day 1, Tea)
Melbourne, December 26: A five-wicket haul from pacer Josh Tongue and overall, a brilliant display of pace bowling from a ruthless, wounded England team ended Australia's first innings at just 152 runs in 45.2 overs to start off the fourth Ashes Test, a Boxing Day affair, at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Aussie veteran Usman Khawaja completes 8,000 international runs
Melbourne, December 26: Australian batter Usman Khawaja completed 8,000 international runs on Friday.
Steve Smith's mediocre Ashes continues, falls to Josh Tongue for third time in as many meetings
Melbourne, December 26: Steve Smith's mediocre Ashes campaign continued as he once again fell to England's right-arm pacer Josh Tongue during the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne on Friday.
Usman Khawaja on verge of major international milestone
New Delhi, December 25: Australia batter Usman Khawaja will have a personal milestone in sight when he walks out to bat in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, with the experienced left-hander just 28 runs away from completing 8,000 international runs.
I'm a different and better manager than a year ago: Manchester United's Ruben Amorim
Manchester, December 25: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says he is a "different" and "better" coach compared to a year ago. The head coach adds that he would handle many things differently now, having learnt a lot since joining the club, as per Sky Sports.
"It's going to offer quite a bit": Steve Smith on MCG pitch ahead of Boxing Day Test against England
Melbourne, December 25: Ahead of the fourth Ashes Test against England, Australia's stand-in captain has opened up about the Melbourne Cricket Ground surface, saying that the pitch will offer a lot to the fast bowlers.
Ashes: Australia announce playing XII for Boxing Day Test, Steve Smith replaces Pat Cummins as captain
Melbourne, December 25: Cricket Australia has named its playing XII for the fourth Ashes Test of the five-match series against England. The fourth match of the series will be a Boxing Day Test, starting on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Aussie keeper Carey stands 128 run short of Gilchrist's 24-year-old calendar year record ahead of MCG Test
Melbourne, December 24: As the Ashes series heads to Melbourne Cricket Ground for the grand Boxing Day fixture with the prestigious urn in hands of Australia once again, Aussie wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, who cracked his maiden Ashes ton at Adelaide, has one more milestone to achieve which could seal his legacy as one of Australia's all-time great keeper batters.
Ashes: England name playing XI for Boxing Day Test; Archer ruled out, Pope misses out
Melbourne, December 24: The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced its playing XI for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia on Wednesday. The fourth match of the five-match series will be the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting on December 26.
Murphy, Richardson named in Australia's Boxing Day Test squad, Lyon to undergo surgery
Melbourne, Dec 23: Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson have been added to Australia's 15-member squad for the fourth Ashes Test, starting on December 26.
Ashes: Cummins, Lyon miss out as Australia name squad for Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 23: Skipper Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon have been left out as Australia on Tuesday announced its 15-member squad for the Boxing Day Test against England in Melbourne starting from December 26.