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The upcoming Boxing Day Test between Australia and India holds significant personal milestones for two cricketing giants: Steve Smith and Pat Cummins. The fourth match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), sees the series tied at 1-1, making this encounter crucial for both teams' hopes of winning the series. For Steve Smith, the MCG has been a haven of success, particularly during Boxing Day matches. His record at this venue during the festive period is nothing short of extraordinary. In 11 Boxing Day Tests at the MCG, Smith has amassed an impressive 1093 runs at a remarkable average of 78.07, including four centuries and five half-centuries. His highest score of 192 against India stands as a testament to his dominance at this specific time and location. This performance, a marathon innings of 305 balls punctuated by 15 fours and two sixes, propelled Australia to a commanding first-innings total of 530 runs, contributing to a drawn match where Virat Kohli's own exceptional efforts (169 and 54) prevented an Australian victory.
Beyond his Boxing Day brilliance, Smith is on the cusp of a monumental achievement in his illustrious career: reaching 10,000 Test runs. Currently standing at 9809 runs from 112 Tests and 200 innings, he needs just 191 more runs to join an elite club of Australian batsmen – Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh – who have all achieved this remarkable feat. His overall Test record is staggering: an average of 56.05, with 33 centuries and 41 half-centuries, and a highest score of 239. His recent century in Brisbane after a 25-innings drought underlines his continued class and his hunger to achieve this milestone. The Boxing Day Test presents the perfect stage for Smith to etch his name further into cricketing history. The pressure will be immense but, given his history at the MCG, especially on Boxing Day, the expectation is that Smith will put on a show for the Australian supporters.
Meanwhile, Australian captain Pat Cummins is also on the brink of a significant personal milestone. He is closing in on 500 international wickets, needing only eight more to join the exclusive club of Australian bowlers with 500 or more international wickets. In 212 matches, he has already accumulated 492 wickets at an impressive average of 24.53, with best figures of 6/23 and 14 five-wicket hauls. A remarkable 283 of these wickets have been taken in Test matches. Furthermore, another 11 wickets would elevate him to an even more remarkable achievement: becoming the first bowler to reach 200 wickets in the history of the ICC World Test Championship since its inception in 2019. Cummins' success isn't confined to his overall statistics. His performances in Boxing Day Tests at the MCG have been consistently outstanding. In seven Tests at the venue, he has taken 35 wickets at a phenomenal average of 17.00, including four five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/27 against India. His leadership and bowling prowess are crucial components to Australia’s success in this pivotal match.
The stage is set for a thrilling contest. The rivalry between Australia and India is always intense, but the added incentive of personal milestones for Smith and Cummins adds another layer of excitement. Both players are pivotal to their respective teams' strategies and are expected to play key roles in determining the outcome of this crucial Test match. The MCG will be buzzing with anticipation as the cricketing world watches these two legends chase their respective milestones. The atmosphere will be electric, and the match promises to be a classic encounter. The battle for series dominance and the individual pursuit of impressive milestones are intertwining narratives that will define this Boxing Day Test.
Beyond the individual achievements, the match itself carries immense weight for both teams. The series is evenly poised at 1-1, meaning a victory for either side will significantly shift the momentum heading into the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Both teams have formidable squads, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and exciting young talents. Australia boasts a strong batting lineup, with the likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja, backed by a potent pace attack led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. India, on the other hand, possesses a formidable batting order led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, supported by a capable bowling attack including Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The contest is likely to be a closely fought battle, with both teams determined to secure a win and claim a significant advantage going into the final Test. The clash of styles, the individual battles, and the high stakes combine to create a recipe for an unforgettable Test match.
Source: Steve Smith, Pat Cummins Eye Massive Milestones In Boxing Day Test vs India