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Boxing Day Tests: Surprising Similarities Between IND Vs AUS And PAK Vs SA Encounters

Abhinav Tyagi∙ Updated: Dec 29 2024, 8:40 PM

Virat Kohli_Babar Azam- (Source:@Johns/X.com)Virat Kohli_Babar Azam- (Source:@Johns/X.com)

It has been a great end to 2024 as the fans are witnessing two great Test matches simultaneously. Usually, matches are held on December 26 in SENA countries, which are also termed as Boxing Day Tests.

On this Boxing Day, India locked horns against Australia at the MCG, while South Africa took on Pakistan at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. It has been a great four days of cricket filled with thrillers, twists and turns. 

While South Africa has registered a narrow win over Pakistan, India and Australia's 4th Test are set to play it all out on day 5. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the two games had several similarities on how the day panned out. 

Day 1- Day Of The Debutants

It is worth noting that in both the Boxing Day Tests, day 1 belonged to the debutants. In the Australia- India match, it was the day of Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old debutant. 

Konstas hogged the internet as he took on Jasprit Bumrah and played a valuable 60 (65). On the other hand, It was Corbin Bosch's show at the Supersport Park. Bosch, who played his maiden Test match for the Proteas, took four wickets on day one to rattle the visitors. 

Day 3- Rain Spoils Play

Day 3 was filled with slight delays as nearly two hours of play was lost on day 3 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground because of rain and bad light. Meanwhile, the Pakistan vs South Africa match also had a late start because of rain. 

The first session got entirely washed off because of rain. The match started at 5:30 PM IST. 

Day 4- Tail Enders Steal The Show

Day four of the boxing day Tests belonged to the tail-enders. In the India-Australia match, frustration crept in for the Rohit Sharma-led side as Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland stitched an unbeaten 55-run stand for the last wicket.

On the other hand, it was Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada show at the end in Centurion as the duo snatched a win from the jaws of defeat as they stitched a 51-run stand for the ninth wicket to seal a two-wicket win for South Africa and help Proteas qualify for WTC final.