For many other Australians, Boxing Day is about watching men throwing a red ball and hitting it with a bat and running around on the grass. Thats what they call the 26th December match the Boxing Day Test Match! People go for a picnic celebration in the white-hot, glorious days with the crisp, clear summer air in the beautiful Aussie stadiums.
If the Indian stadiums are known for the stunned silences that occur when an Indian wicket goes down or the deafening noise levels, cricket in Australia is like a carnival. Boxing Day is their main fixture at the MCG. One big desire of any cricket lover is to be there at the Boxing Day. MCG is like a coliseum where cricket gladiators come out and battle. For the fans, M.C.G. is like a pilgrimage, a temple that gives australian fans inspiration. Its in a class of its own.
Many famous incidents have happened during the Boxing Day Test, including umpire Darrell Hair calling Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing in 1995 and Shane Warne taking his 700th Test wicket in 2006 against England in his final MCG Test.
MCG is also not just well known for hosting cricket matches but also other sports too and even Pope John Paul II held a mass there in the ground when he visited Melbourne in 1986.
On the other hand, back in India, Boxing Day is about waking up early in the morning to watch the action down under. Fans sleep with their T.V. remotes besides their bed in anticipation of waking up as early as 5 in the morning next day and watching the game..
You tune in to ESPN Star and the wonderful trio of matchless Harsha Bhogle, Alan Wilkins and Gautam Bhimani create an atmosphere of delight for any Cricket fan.. Accompanying them in the Commentary Box are legends like Ian Chappel, Tony Greig, Bill Lawry, Taylor, Slater and many others.
“Bang, That’s a ripper!!!”
”Dear O Dear”
”It’s all happening out here at the M.C.G. !”
The way these commentators get excited on a beautiful wicket; a smashing shot or an unbelievable catch, it makes us feel blessed to be a cricket lover. Then they also have the ”Bhisma Pitamah” of Commentary, Richie Benaud and Mark Nicholas whose enthusiasm is infectious.
We also remember their voice and commentary from the many cricket computer games. Hearing their crisp voice, excitement, analysis and excellent style of commentary has kept us hooked to cricket for years now. You always need a balance between entertaining and Informative commentary and this Australian panel accompanied by Harsha and Wilkins provides you just that!
And now, its the big one, India vs Australia. Finally the time has come to set our alarm clocks to 5 AM!! You may never rise so early for your academics and studies but a cricket match can surely make you do this !
They say ‘Wake up and Smell the Coffee‘. We say no, ‘Wake Up and Watch Cricket‘
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