Lovely article Mr. Samiuddin. I always look forward to reading your articles. One can't help wondering why cricket authorities don't do something along these lines in our part of the world- perhaps that just shows how much they care for the fans who're responsible for filling their coffers.

Glad you are enjoying the test, and well done for not getting stuck on a scary bridge or set upon by a pack of bloodthirsty Melburnians :) Just joking Osman, nice blog!

India had the pongal test at Chennai. Cant understand why it has been scrapped though. It was far before my time, but I am given to understand that it had a great atmosphere around it.

I was one of the those 60000. Melburnians love their sporting events. Just hoping for things to get better in Pakistan and kids can get back to what they love.. that is playing cricket.

People in the subcontinent are spontaneous and we don't need to plan every time visit to the rest room. From the guy who sells water outside the stadium to the executive who brings his top clients/family to watch the game, everyone has enough flexibility factored in to watch an interesting phase of the game. The boards need to construct better Stadiums with modern facilities, better boxes with air conditioning, air tight security (airport type security checks and I mean even the players should be thoroghly screened) and then the public will come out in droves to the stadiums. Until then, we'll watch in our pyjamas in our living rooms.

the problem with pakistan is that because of bad pitches there is no 4th innings as its difficult to get teams out even 3 times in 5 days. Because of this even the test matches like the one in Lahore few years back where Afridi and Dhoni played great innnings ended up as a boring test match. These pitches make ODIs real interesting in Pakistan, but not so much the test matches

Not surprising.Aussies love live sport.The way that the grounds were filled foe games such as Uruguay v Japan in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in tiny towns where rugby is barely played is testament to this.With the current test very interestingly poised and Pakistan only needing 2.7 or so an over on the last day expect a good crowd tomorrow too!
The English also love tests and they are invariably sold out. In New Zealand it is not uncommon to have 1500 or so watching test cricket in a massive rugby stadium but ODI`s get good crowds.New Zealand also needs a Boxing Day Test

Thanks for this piece, its always nice to know about the culture and learn about things from people of other parts of the world. It was quite interesting to know that cricket is a fixed place in Australia and other things revolve around it. Keep writing these interesting pieces and you will have a huge following very soon :)

"Glastonbury without drugs"

What would you call alcohol?

I'm sorry Osman but as an Australian I feel this is a very misinformed piece you have written.

In the bad old days of innocence, before pajama cricket & T 20,there used to be a semblance of regularity to India's home Test programme with usually Delhi hosting a Test around Christmas, Eden Gardens the next one around the New Year and Chennai hosting its Test around the Pongal holidays which generally fall on 14th or 15th of Jan. Bombay & Kanpur would be the bookends to this programme.

Osman,

I agree, I can even remember some incredible boxing day moments, including a ton from Punter in 97, I can also remember that day in 81 i think it was that West Indies bowled us out cheaply except for a gallant Kim Hughes ton and then Lillie took 3 for in the last session and ended the day bowling Viv Richards leaving them 4/10. Then the 92 bd test with Border and Waugh both getting tons, Warney's 700'th wicket. in 2005.
To add to the excitement, Melbourne's unpredicatbable weather can make the first session batting environmnet very dangerous and unpredictable.. when is the Lords test, is it a fixed date?

Good informative article Sami. It tells alot about the approach uses by OZ to keep the game alive, Wonder why India or Pakistan are not applying the same approach

I will further add to comments by kanob that if u provide following facilities at the stadium people will like to come to watch cricket.
1. Fast food cabins between the stalls
2. Drive in facility
3. Security check
4. Some free drinks
5. Matches during good weather
6. Matches fixed to certain days celebration like independance day

MCG is hous off cricket
i love this MCG

Glastonbury without drugs?
Whats Alcohol?
I dont understand what the article is meant to be abt...seems half finished

Well done mate. Glad you're enjoying things. (Dan, you have missed the point).

it was great feeling on boxing day match between aus and pak .Aus out class pakistan first three days ,pakistan struggle hard during all days,Umar akmal and amar is real find of the tour.one thing missed in selection of team,If they have included sami in place of abdul rauf then it will be different story bczo abdul rauf is very good seam bowler and asif also,but this pitch suit to quick and reverse swing bowler.if they find seaming wicket then ,pak will go with same attack it will be better if the wicket will be hard then go with , sami amar and asif, australia still a shaky team and it proved in this match. Pkiastan captan and coach must read the pitch propery. antikhab alam not suited to pakistan team even he can not read the pitch after 50 year experience.

Hope for the best for pak team.

AGHA

Rawapindi
Pakistan

they'll have to prepare supporting pitches which produce results in Pakistan if they wanna pull crowds. Ppl arent they're for 5 day games to see a 0-0 series result after high scoring draws

Right on the money, Osman!

I've felt the enjoyment of the crowd whilst watching the game on TV and for all their aggression, rough and tough persona, the Aussies definitely appreciate a good game - as apparant by their appreciation of Umar Akmal's batting and Ammer's hearty bowling efforts!

I've enjoyed this Test more than some T20 games for sure!

Here's praying that the good game returns soon at international level to our dear Pakistan.

Australia has made Boxing Day Test at the MCG an annual fixture since 1981. Cricket in Australia was/is managed by professionals and not some country-President appointed retired politician or army general.

India's BCCI has made huge progress in a short span of time and we can see the results. Unfortunately same can not be said of other countries that have been playing Test cricket for over 50 years.

Forget about an annual fixture, we don't even know when our season (at home starts and ends.

Shane Watson kept the prestige of Australia by scoring 1st test century of this session. Many fans of Australian Cricket team were awaiting for the century and today it gets fulfilled by Shane Watson. Great man and great job. Still some efforts needed for Australian Team for moving to top one list. Australian captain needs some more effort for team work and all is hand to make Australia the King of Cricket!!!
At last CONGRATUALTION for Shane Watson for his test century!!!!
Readers dont forget to congrats the Watson!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like your insight, keep up the good work.

I think its Ricky Ponting's sporting declarations
in both Innings that has made this Test an exciting contestwhich both sides can win.I hope other Captains, particularly those in the Sub-continent will emulate his example.
As a biased Pakistan suppporter, naturally,I hope this 'Christmas gift' works out in Pakistan's favour but Ponting needs to be congratulated.He backs himself and his team always.

Boxing day test in Australia is always great. I have to admit one thing about the Australian cricket though which you don't get anywhere else in the world. It's their appreciation of just good cricket, no matter who the opposition is. If you play good, you will always get a huge applause and cheer just like what Umar Akmal received for his sparkling 50 and the Mohammad Aamer, and I love this thing about the Aussie cricket. Unlike almost all the other teams who are just supporting their own team rather than sporting some good cricket!
But GAME ON here, I think!

Melbournians love to get out - you'd get 50,000 people to a car accident I reckon.

your heading suggests to me you havent ventured out the press box at the mcg too much osman! on fixed cricket, dosent india have some festival in october every year? they get home matches in october every year also. its only the bcci's fault if they dont capitalise on that oppertunity the same way australia does with the xmas/new year and australia day long weekends!

excellent performance by Australian Side.. it was good display of Skills from Aussies.. Hope Pakistan can comeback strongly in second test..

I Laughed wheh watson got dropped on 99. I woulda laughed more if he wasnt, whos with me?

Lovely article. We did have our issues though as some were banned from the ground. the main thing that make Australia differant from most other countries is that Australia at the moment is a more stable society and being bordered by sea. we tend not to have the unrest of great cricketting nations like India, Sri Lanka & Pakistan