New Zealand’s Black Caps returned to the MCG for the first Trans-Tasman Boxing Day Test in 32 years, but a dominant display from the Australians sealed the Test and the series.
Day one of the 2019 Boxing Day Test drew a crowd of 80,473 – the seventh highest in Australian Test history and the second biggest for a non-Ashes fixture on Boxing Day. 203,472 fans made their way through the MCG turnstiles over the four days of the Test, including 66,627 members and their guests in the MCC Reserve.Despite the strong contingent of New Zealand fans in the crowd, it was the Australians who dominated on-field, claiming a comprehensive 247 run victory within four days to win the second Test and seal the three-match series.
New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson’s decision to bowl after winning the toss had looked to be a canny call early on, when speedster Trent Boult dismissed Australian opener Joe Burns in the first over.
Unfortunately for the visitors, it didn’t prove a sign of things to come, with the Australians recording a first innings score of 467, helped along by a century from Travis Head.
The Black Caps failed to make any significant in-roads with the bat, with opener Tom Latham’s half century the first innings highlight for the visitors. Pat Cummins and James Pattinson set the pace for the Australian attack, taking five and three wickets each and helping to limit the visitors to a first innings total of 148 runs – 319 short of their target.
The hosts went in to bat once more and added a further 168 runs before declaring early on day four, setting New Zealand a target of 488. But despite a stoic 121 from New Zealand opener Tom Blundell, the Kiwis were all out for 240 runs – Australia winning the second Test by 247 runs.
All eyes had been on the MCG pitch in the lead-up to the series, but the official rating of ‘very good’ delivered by the ICC at the conclusion of the match – the highest possible rating – affirmed the Club’s ongoing investment in improving the MCG pitches.
Speaking at the conclusion of the match, MCC CEO Stuart Fox said that although gratifying, the Club would not be resting on its rating.
“Hopefully cricket fans understand we’ve been pushing the boundaries to find improvements in the MCG pitches and while we’re still on a journey, we will continue to look for ways to ensure our wickets always have the characteristics of pace, bounce and lateral movement to allow something for both bat and ball,” Fox said.