The Boxing Day Test is one of the biggest sporting events of the year in Melbourne, Australia's sporting capital, making it a pretty big deal.
While I normally only go on Days 2 and 3 to allow for the pitch to break up a bit and the crowds to disperse, I took in Day 1 yesterday as I wasn't sure how long the Test would last based on the West Indies form of late.
The Big Deal of a day didn't disappoint, with plenty of low and highlights. Here are my Top 5:
5. The Fence
The Melbourne Cricket Club erected a security fence around the ground in an attempt to make the ground less attractive and entering it more difficult. Well done.
For members of an exclusive club that pay a hefty annual membership fee, this must have been a delightful experience for all.
Given that most crowd trouble at the cricket occurs in the Southern Stand, here's hoping less blanket rules are put in place in future.
4. The Crowd
The last Test between the West Indies and Australia was a one-sided event that ended within 3 days, making most pundits think that the famed Boxing Day Test wouldn't be well attended.
Stupid pundits.
Over 50,000 turned up to the game, which a large portion actually watching the game (note: no use of "contest") while others socialised freely in an environment that reminded one of Race Day.
This should be used as an example to Cricket and all Sporting administrators; if you can create an event that people can get to and are excited about - they'll go.
Revolutionary, I know.
3. The Moan
The toss of the coin was won by the West Indies, whose Captain immediately elected to field, leading to a moan by seemingly the entire crowd.
The complaint was obviously that everyone wanted to see a contest between bat and ball, which no-one expected between West Indian bowlers and Australian batsmen.
Clever pundits.
2. Burns & Khawajas awkward date
The last time I saw Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja bat together at the MCG, it was a Sheffield Shield game in which neither impressed.
Yesterday, however, was a different story with both posting centuries and putting on a 200+ partnership.
I'd rather focus on the positives of this achievement, rather than pointing out that Victoria has a better bowling attack than the West Indies.
Burns was a delight to watch upon reaching his century, jumping in the air, beaming with happiness and kissing his helmet....and seemingly Khawaja on the neck too.
When Khawaja reached his milestone, he gave a much more low-key celebration and did embrace Burns, though with trepidition.
1. The Ambrose Rocket
Watching the West Indies playing mull about in the field dejectedly was pretty tough to watch for those of us that remember how fearsome they used to be.
There is obviously still fire in the side, though unfortunately it seems to be with the coaching staff more than the players.
Seeing Curtly Ambrose give the players an almighty spray that would make most AFL coaches terrified showed how much passion and pride (at least) he had about the game.
Here's hoping it comes to something good.
