The Melbourne Cricket Floor (MCG) witnessed historical past even earlier than the primary day’s play reached the tea interval because the Boxing Day Ashes Take a look at produced the most important cricket crowd ever recorded on the iconic venue.
A staggering 94,199 spectators packed into the MCG on Day 1 of the fourth Ashes Take a look at, setting a brand new all-time attendance document for a single day of cricket on the floor.
The determine surpassed the earlier excessive of 93,013, which was set throughout the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup closing between Australia and New Zealand.
Friday’s turnout additionally established a brand new benchmark for Take a look at cricket on the MCG, eclipsing the 91,112 followers who attended Day 1 of the 2013 Boxing Day Take a look at between Australia and England.
With tickets for Days 2 and three already offered out, this 12 months’s Boxing Day Take a look at has additionally positioned the cumulative Ashes attendance document of 271,865, set in 2013, firmly inside attain.
Australia at present holds a commanding 3-0 lead within the Ashes sequence, with the Sydney Take a look at nonetheless to return after the Melbourne conflict.
In a broader historic context, the gang ranks because the second-largest ever to attend a single day of Take a look at cricket, behind solely the well-known India-Pakistan Take a look at in Kolkata in 1998-99, which drew over 100,000 spectators.
The record-breaking crowd was rewarded with a dramatic opening day as 20 wickets fell on a energetic pitch.
England captain Ben Stokes gained the toss and elected to bowl on a inexperienced floor beneath overcast situations, a call that paid early dividends as Australia have been bowled out for 152.
Josh Tongue led England’s assault with an outstanding spell, claiming 5 for 45 because the hosts struggled to construct partnerships.
Nevertheless, England’s response with the bat proved much more fragile. They slumped to 16 for 4 and by no means really recovered, finally being dismissed for simply 110.
Australia have been left to barter a single over earlier than stumps and did so safely, with nightwatchman Scott Boland seeing out the day alongside Travis Head.
On the shut, the hosts have been 4 with out loss, holding a slender however essential 46-run lead on a day that delivered each document crowds and relentless motion.
