Historically, Australia have always fared well in Boxing Day Test matches. Dating back to first Melbourne Boxing Day Test in 1950, Australia have won 22 matches, lost 8 and drawn 9. More recently, Australia have been almost unbeatable in home Boxing Day Test matches, losing just two out of the 15 Test matches played since 2000.
West Indies themselves have opposed Australia in 8 Boxing Day Test matches through the years. Their record is 2 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw. The last time these two teams squared off in a Boxing Day Test came back in
2000
where Australia won by 352 runs.
West Indies two wins came in
1988
and
1996
.
The Boxing Day Test matches have long been a favourite of mine. There is something extremely idyllic about watching Test match cricket in the middle of the night played in the sunny climate of Australia while it is cold and damp outside.
The three Boxing Day Tests that stand out the most to me are England's thrilling win back in 1998 with England bowling out Australia for 162 to win by just 12 runs, England disposing Australia for 98 back in 2010, and the incredible fast bowling on display in the 1981 Boxing Day Test between West Indies and Australia - Holding finished with 10 wickets and Lillee 11.
A few Boxing Day stats:
Graham Yallop holds the record for highest score in a Boxing Day Test in Australia with 268 against Pakistan in 1983.
Viv Richards (208) holds the record for highest score by a West Indies batsman.
Ashley Mallet once took 8/59 in the fourth innings of the Boxing Day 1972 Test against Pakistan, bowling Australia to a 114 run victory.
Courtney Walsh owns the record for most wickets by a Windies bowler with 23.
