The biggest day in the Australian cricket calendar saw Australia play India in the famous Boxing Day cricket test at the MCG in Australia. With over 80,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and nearly 200 million cricket fans in India watching the test match this was one of the most watched cricket games of the year.



The Australian cricket crowd is renowned for being very vocal and at times rowdy. However, there is no greater stage for playing cricket than at the MCG on Boxing Day in Melbourne.

As for the cricket match, Australia went into the match with a dilemma as to its bowling line-up. The aussies were unsure as to go with all fast bowlers or to include a spinner in the team. With the retirement of the greatest spin bowler last year in Shane Warne; the Australian team has struggled to replace him. However, Brad Hogg, has stepped up into some form at the right time and as a result was included in the team for his fifth test match.

On day one, Australia went into bat first with Matthew Hayden and Phil Jaques. Both established a fantastic opening partnership before Jaques went out. Hayden went on to score 124 runs on a tough wicket. The Australian middle order collapsed with Ricky Ponting and Hussey going cheaply before the tail wagged for the aussies. Indian bowler Kumble bowled extremely well for India taking five wickets.

On day two, India struggled with the bat and with some very slow batting averaged only two runs per over early on. Sachin Tendulkar, The Master, played a fine innings before going out trying to cut the ball. The remaining Indian batters fell quite easily leaving Australia with a solid first innings lead.

On day three, Australia set out to increase the lead with another good opening stance by the aussie openers. Ricky Ponting fell early on again which was a major success for the Indians before Michael Clarke played a good knock leaving Australia with a lead of 499 runs for the Indians to chase. One of the major issues on day three was the high number of no balls especially at Umpire Billy Bowden's end.

On day four, it was all about the Australian bowling with the aussies taking some early wickets and thus removing any chance of an Indian win. Brad Hogg and Mitchell Johnson got some valuable wickets for the aussies and both gave themselves a good chance of being selected for the next cricket match at the SCG.

The win for the Australian cricket team results in fifteen successive test wins and they need only one more to tie Steve Waugh's record. Adam Gilchrist also broke Ian Healy's wicket keeping record and is now only one away from the magical 400 which he will most likely get in Sydney.

Matthew Hayden was named man of the match after two great batting innings. The Australians once again lead with some great fielding and always kept the pressure on the Indians. The Indians on the other hand let themselves down in the field.

The Indians will need to regroup after this crushing loss. With such a strong batting line-up the Indians couldn't even reach 200 runs in either innings. It will be interesting to see if the Indian cricket team make any changes especially with the batting line up. The only concern for the Australians will once again be with the bowlers. Will Mitchell Johnson and Brad Hogg stay in the team or will Shaun Tait be awarded his opportunity to bring some heat to the bowling line-up.