On Boxing Day this year I am proud to say that I broke a world record. it isn't every day a bloke can make such a claim, but it is in the record books now. I did have a little help, but I feel that I did my part.
The crowd of 91,092 that turned out to see the first day of the England-Australia test match at the MCG was a world record for a single day of Test Cricket. The previous largest crowd was 90,400ish, also on the MCG at day 2 of the 1961 Australia-West Indies test. Crowds for MCG tests usually halve every day of the match, but this year was remarkable. Almost 80,000 turned up for day 2. Another 60,000 made it for day 3 and 40,000 made it to day 4 to see Australia win the match. All the more remarkable because the Test Series has already been decided - Australia was 3-0 up going into the game.
I am pleased to say I made it to 3 of the 4 days. Had a ball!
We were treated to a test match that ebbed & flowed. Unlike the other matches in the series this was a real contest. A fine bowling performance from England on day 2 gave them a lead. At tea on day 3 they seemed set to make a score that Australia would struggle to get, but the loss of 5 wickets for 6 runs gave Australia a total of 231 for victory. On a pitch where 255 was the highest innings tally that looked tough. It should have been, but England's bowling and fielding was insipid & Australia's batting forceful. We won in a canter, 2 wickets down.
On to Sydney for a series clean sweep!
p.s. you can see the previous world record on the big screen if you look carefully.
The crowd of 91,092 that turned out to see the first day of the England-Australia test match at the MCG was a world record for a single day of Test Cricket. The previous largest crowd was 90,400ish, also on the MCG at day 2 of the 1961 Australia-West Indies test. Crowds for MCG tests usually halve every day of the match, but this year was remarkable. Almost 80,000 turned up for day 2. Another 60,000 made it for day 3 and 40,000 made it to day 4 to see Australia win the match. All the more remarkable because the Test Series has already been decided - Australia was 3-0 up going into the game.
I am pleased to say I made it to 3 of the 4 days. Had a ball!
We were treated to a test match that ebbed & flowed. Unlike the other matches in the series this was a real contest. A fine bowling performance from England on day 2 gave them a lead. At tea on day 3 they seemed set to make a score that Australia would struggle to get, but the loss of 5 wickets for 6 runs gave Australia a total of 231 for victory. On a pitch where 255 was the highest innings tally that looked tough. It should have been, but England's bowling and fielding was insipid & Australia's batting forceful. We won in a canter, 2 wickets down.
On to Sydney for a series clean sweep!
p.s. you can see the previous world record on the big screen if you look carefully.
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