The first test between South Africa and India gets underway on December 26. On the other hand, Australia is also taking on Pakistan in the second game of the three-match test series, which started today. Both games started on Boxing Day.
But what is a Boxing Day test, and why does it have this term? A test match that starts just a day after Christmas Eve is known as a Boxing Day test match. Not just in cricket, any sport that is played after Christmas is known as “Boxing Day.”
The word ‘Boxing Day’ derives from the ‘Christmas Box,’ a gift box historically given to delivery boys, postmen, and other such workers on December 26 in appreciation for their service throughout the year—an annual custom that started in the United Kingdom and has now spread to other nations.
Boxing Day Tests are mainly played in Australia and South Africa. The tradition of playing a test on December 26 started back in the late 1990s. In 1865, a game between Victoria and New South Wales during the Sheffield Shield was played at the MCG, which is termed the origin of the Boxing Day Test.
A Boxing Day Test always attracts a large crowd, which also helps the cricket board generate a large amount of money during the festival season. It is also played during the southern summer season. The first ever test match on Boxing Day was played in 1950 between Australia and England.
Now it has become a notable moment in cricket institutions and attracts spectators in groups and families as a part of holiday traditions. MCG in Australia and SuperSport Park in South Africa host the boxing day tests. .
Australia has played a total of 47 Boxing Day tests. They have won 28 matches; 10 games ended in defeats and 9 ended in draws. England have played 13 such tests and have won seven games, lost four, and ended in a draw.
