The Melbourne Cricket Ground is all set to host its 44th Boxing Day Test when India travel Down Under for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series later this year. The preparations for the marquee event are already underway, as showcased in a video published on the ground’s social media.
The MCG was one of the pioneers in maiing the drop-in pitch a regular fixture at the stadium, having first done so in 1996. Even thoughnthe technology has evolved leap and bounds since, the management at the venue have persisted with concrete trays instead of the state-of-the-art porous steel beds that allow the decks to fester in more natural conditions and consequently allow better management through the course of a season.
Melbourne shall host the fourth Test of the five-match series against India, which would make it a 35th consecutive Boxing Day Test at the venue having done so every year since 1990. However, the Victorian capital is slated to host multiple Sheffield Shield, Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League encounters before the marquee fixture, as well as a One-Day Cup match and an ODI between Australia and Pakistan on November 4.
