Player of the Matches: Boxing Day Test Records and Statistics

The Ashes and the Boxing Day Tests are two examples of special cricket events that elevate the significance of test matches. The 26th of December, or Boxing Day, is one of the most anticipated days of the year for cricket fans.

A Test Match held on Boxing Day is the Boxing Day Test Match (The day after Christmas). At the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia’s home team takes on the visiting team, the tourists. The Boxing Day Test is played by more than just Australia.

The Boxing Day Test matches will also be played in New Zealand and South Africa. Australia will play host to England in the most critical Ashes match of 2021 on Boxing Day, while South Africa will play host to the Indian cricket team on the same day. Indeed, Boxing Day has hosted some unforgettable matches.

In this piece, we’ll examine the Boxing Day Tests and pick a Player of the Match

Year	Opposition Team	Result	Player Of the Match
2021	England	Australia won by an innings and 14 runs	Scott Boland
2020	India	India won by 8 wickets	Ajinkya Rahane
2019	New Zealand	Australia won by 247 runs	Travis Head
2018	India	India won by 137 runs	Jasprit Bumrah
2017	England	Draw	Alastair Cook
2016	Pakistan	Australia won by an innings and 18 runs	Steve Smith
2015	West Indies	Australia won by 177 runs	Nathan Lyon
2014	India	Draw	Ryan Harris
2013	England	Australia won by 8 wickets	Mitchell Johnson
2012	Sri Lanka	Australia won by an innings and 201 runs	Mitchell Johnson

Scott Boland (Australia vs England, 2021)

The prestigious Johnny Mullagh Medal was awarded to Scott Boland for his performance in the Boxing Day Test. Boland took six wickets for seven runs in England’s second innings as Australia won a historic match. By beating England by 14 runs in the third Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia ensured they would keep the Ashes for the 2021-22 season. First-time bowler Scott Boland shone in the second innings when he took six wickets for seven runs to help the home team restrict the visitors to a paltry total of 68.

Ajinkya Rahane (India Tour of Australia, 2020)

Many experts believe that Ajinkya Rahane’s century in the second Test against Australia, which just ended at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was the finest innings of his Test Cricket career. In the absence of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane took charge and proved his worth to the team.

He scored 112 runs off 223 balls, including 12 fours, showing good batting grit. His performance was instrumental in India’s 8-wicket victory, which tied the series at 1. As recognition for his heroic efforts, Rahane was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. After India had fallen behind 3-0, Rahane’s knock got them back into the game. The Indians would enter the third Test feeling confident and ready to play.

Travis Head (Australia, 2019)

In December of the same year (2019), it was revealed that he would join Australia’s squad for the forthcoming Test Series against New Zealand.

Travis Head received the prestigious Johnny Mullagh Medal for his brilliant performance in the Boxing Day Test. As a result of Australia’s victory in the third and final Test match, which they won by a score of 279 runs and the series as a whole by a score of 3–0 at Perth Stadium, Australia ensured that they would retain possession of the ashes for the 2019–20 cricket season. He scored 114 runs in the second Test and was named player of the match for that game.

Jasprit Bhumrah (India Tour of Australia, 2018)

In 2018, India, led by Virat Kohli, made history by claiming their first-ever Test series victory in Australia. Jasprit Bumrah, a lightning-fast Indian bowler, was crucial to India’s series victory.

He finished as the competition’s top bowler with 21 wickets from the series’ four games at an average of 17.00. At the Boxing Day Test match played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Jasprit Bumrah was recognized as the match’s man of the game. Bumrah concluded the Test with nine wickets, helping his team to a 137-run victory.

Alastair Cook (England vs Australia, 2017)

Even though England lost the game, Cook’s dogged batting brought new energy to the otherwise lifeless series. The feet of Alastair Cook remain stationary. And now he’s going down on all fours. There is a hole in his defense against the fastball. There is too much hesitation on his part. Ultimately, he has become Nathan Lyon’s pet rabbit. In the blink of an eye, old-school Cook appears again. You may once again “whip” from your hips, “pull” as you’ve never pulled before, and “drive” straight.

The MCG crowd applauded when Cook gently stroked the ball over the ropes to bring up his fifth double century. He completed the double century with a brilliant on-drive at a crucial juncture for his side, which only added to its significance.

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