Australia’s Bowlers Seal Emphatic Win Over India

Australia triumphed over India by 184 runs on the fifth day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Chasing a target of 340, India was bowled out for just 155, with nine of their batters failing to reach double digits.

Match Highlights:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal was the standout performer for India, scoring 84 runs, while Rishabh Pant contributed 30.
• Australia’s bowling attack was led by Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, who claimed 3 wickets each.
• Nathan Lyon bagged 2 wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Travis Head picked up a wicket apiece.
• The Australian bowlers dismantled the Indian batting lineup, taking the last seven wickets for just 34 runs.

Record-Breaking Attendance:

The match witnessed an extraordinary turnout at the MCG, setting a new record for Test cricket attendance. Over five days, a staggering 350,700 fans came to watch the game.

• This surpassed the previous record of 350,534, set in 1937 during a Test match led by Sir Donald Bradman.
• On the final day alone, 51,371 fans attended the first session, with more joining later.

Historical Comparison:

The Boxing Day Test of 2024 saw higher attendance than the iconic January 1937 Test between Australia and England, which lasted six days. Daily attendance figures were as follows:

• Day 1: 87,000
• Day 2: 85,000
• Day 3: 83,000
• Day 4: 43,000
• Day 5: 51,000+

Context:

While the 2024 Boxing Day Test broke records for a five-day match, the highest-ever MCG crowd remains the 90,293 fans who attended the India-Pakistan clash during the 2022 T20 World Cup.