Boxing Day Test: History, Meaning and Its Importance in Cricket

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Christmas is celebrated on 25 December all over the world. The next day, 26 December, is known as Boxing Day. Many people think it is related to boxing (the sport), but that is not true. Boxing Day has nothing to do with fighting. It comes from old Christian traditions.

What is Boxing Day?

In earlier times, churches and rich families kept a box on Christmas Day. People put gifts, money and food in this box for poor and needy people. On 26 December, the box was opened and all the gifts were given to them. Because of this tradition, the day came to be called Boxing Day.

Connection Between Boxing Day and Cricket

The word “Boxing Day” entered cricket in 1892. The first official Boxing Day Test match was played in 1950 during the Ashes series between Australia and England.

From the 1974–75 Ashes series, it became a fixed tradition that a Test match starting on 26 December would be called the Boxing Day Test.

In Australia, all Boxing Day Test matches are played at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). For cricket fans, this match is not just a game but a big yearly festival.

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Popular Stories About Boxing Day

There are many stories behind Boxing Day. One popular story is about the church box used to collect gifts for the poor. Another story says that many people used to work even on Christmas Day. To honour their hard work, 26 December was named Boxing Day.

Cricketers are also linked to this idea because they often play matches during Christmas and cannot spend time with their families. That is why Boxing Day is strongly connected with cricket.

Meaning According to Oxford Dictionary

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Boxing Day is the first working day after Christmas. On this day, people return to work and open the gifts they received during Christmas. This is another reason why it is called Boxing Day.

More Than Just a Match

Today, the Boxing Day Test is one of the most special events in cricket. Especially in the Ashes series, it represents tradition, history and culture. For fans, Boxing Day is not only about cricket, but also about celebration and passion for the game.

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