CRICKET
5 teams with most wins in Boxing Day Test matches
Boxing Day Test is one of the biggest days in the year in the sports calendar. Particularly in cricket, it is a huge event in many of the nations. The southern hemisphere experiences summer around December and usually enjoy Christmas by celebrating sports. As a part of it, Boxing Day Tests are played in many nations like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. It is arguably the biggest event in Test cricket every year.
Ten teams have played in the Boxing Day Tests so far. Only 8 of them have managed to register a win in those games. The likes of Australia, SA, NZ, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and West Indies have won at least one Test in the Boxing Day Test. Only 6 teams have played more than 10 such matches. A total of 79 Boxing Day Test matches have happened in cricket till now.
The first ever Boxing Day Test match happened in 1961. Since then, many teams have played each other on the biggest calendar day of the year in the longest format of the game. Only 2 teams have managed to win more than 10 matches, who also happen to have hosted the greatest number of Boxing Day Games. The two teams are the only 2 hosts for the Boxing Day Test in the year 2023.
Here are the 5 teams with the greatest number of wins in the Boxing Day Test matches:
5. India
India (Source: Twitter)
India has played the third-greatest number of matches in the history of the Boxing Day Tests. In 17 matches, India has managed to claim 4 wins. In 3 other instances, India has been able to draw the matches. India has lost 10 matches in the Boxing Day Test calendar. India is the only Asian side to feature in the list.
India has an interesting record in the last few matches of the Boxing Day Tests. The Asian side has won all its last 3 Test matches on Boxing Day. In 2018 and 2020, India defeated Australia at the MCG. In 2021, India defeated South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
4. England
England (Source: Twitter)
England does not have a Boxing Day Test match in their calendar year due to the change in weather. In December, they do not schedule matches at their home. But they have been one of the frequent visiting sides in the history of the event. England has played 18 matches in the history of the Boxing Day Tests.
In as many matches, England has managed to register 6 wins, which is the joint third-highest for a team. In 6 other games, England has managed to eke out a draw. In 6 matches, England has lost. In the most recent Boxing Day Test, England lost to Australia in 2021.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand (Source: Twitter)
New Zealand has hosted the third most number of Boxing Day Test matches. The Kiwis have played 14 matches in the biggest Test calendar and managed to win 6 of them, which is a good record. In 5 matches, NZ has managed to draw the game. The Blackcaps have lost only 3 Boxing Day Test matches.
The most recent outcome of NZ in a Boxing Day Test was in 2019. It saw a record turnout at the MCG, as the stadium was nearly fully packed. Although it was not a good outing for the visiting side as they ended up losing, the event was enjoyed by thousands who got a good experience in watching it.
2. South Africa
South Africa (Source: Twitter)
South Africa has played and hosted the second most number of Boxing Day Test matches. The African side has featured in a whopping 31 matches on the big day, which is more than twice the number of games played by any other side barring Australia. South Africa is hosting India in 2023 at Centurion.
In their 31 appearances, SA has managed to claim 14 wins, which is the second most for a side. In 8 other instances, SA has managed to draw the game. The former World number 1 side has lost only 9 of their 31 Boxing Day Tests. SA is the only side apart from Australia to win more than 10 Boxing Day Test matches.
1. Australia
Australia (Source: Twitter)
Australia leads the race in everything related to the Boxing Day Tests. Australia has hosted, played, and won the greatest number of Boxing Day Test matches. Australia has hosted the Boxing Day Test matches for a whopping 42 times. This time around, the world champions are hosting Pakistan in the calendar.
Australia has managed to win a total of 25 matches in the event, which is 4 more than the combined wins registered by all the other teams barring SA and themselves! The Kangaroos have lost only 8 matches in the Boxing Day Tests. In 9 other instances, Australia has managed to eke out draws.