Boxing Day at the MCG

Although your correspondent didn't really trouble the scorers today it was a thrill to have walked out into the middle of the MCG for the first day of this second Test against India. The Boxing Day Test is arguably the most enjoyable Test match of the calendar year because of the great Australian tradition behind the event. Just being in Melbourne is a buzz at this time of the year, moving up from the traditional backyard Test match at home into the big league in the centre of the Melbourne Cricket Ground is unbelievable.

Fears of another abandoned day of cricket on Boxing Day worried the 50,000 spectators, 24 players and heavens knows how many supporters on their couches at home, as the morning rain fell from the grey skies. Fortunately a break in the persistent early rain allowed the game to start just after an earlier-than-usual lunch break. While we were looking to bowl first if we had won the toss, I think it wasn't the worst toss to lose. Sure we had to work hard against the new ball but now we are in an excellent position to take hold of this game.

It was as much a relief as anything to see 'Junior' scoring some runs. A great player like him is very important to the balance of any team and I always felt it was just a matter of time before he broke the recent shackles. He played with his usual elegance before falling to a ball from the rapidly improving Agarkar. His partnership with Slats has the team feeling happy with the day's result.

While it was frustrating not to have played a full day of cricket it is more positive than last season's outcome of an abandoned day's play. With Warney determined to break Dennis Lillee's record on his home turf, the prospect now looks even brighter when he bowls on this wearing pitch. The next few days promise to be very exciting at the MCG.

Enjoy the battle!

From Melbourne, JL