By Clarion Newschannel Reporter | December 26, 2025
The iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground delivered early drama on day one of the fourth Ashes match, with England captain Ben Stokes winning the toss and electing to bowl first on a grassy pitch, before his seamers ripped through Australia’s batting lineup to dismiss the hosts for a modest 152. Josh Tongue led the charge with a brilliant five-wicket haul (5-45), supported by strong performances from Gus Atkinson and others, capitalizing on helpful conditions.
Australia, already holding an unassailable 3-0 series lead and chasing a potential 5-0 whitewash, struggled against England’s pace attack. Stand-in captain Steve Smith opted for an all-seam bowling strategy, omitting spinner Todd Murphy, while including MCG specialist Scott Boland and Jhye Richardson. The home side made several changes due to injuries and workload management, with regular captain Pat Cummins rested and Nathan Lyon sidelined for surgery.
In reply, England faced their own collapse, slumping to a precarious position late in the day amid fierce Australian counterattacks from Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, and Boland. A record crowd exceeding 93,000 packed the MCG, creating an electric atmosphere for one of cricket’s most cherished traditions.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, English football fans experienced an unusually quiet Boxing Day in the Premier League due to scheduling adjustments influenced by an expanded European club competition calendar and broadcast commitments. For the first time in decades, only one top-flight match is scheduled on December 26: Manchester United hosting Newcastle United at Old Trafford in an evening kickoff (20:00 GMT).
The Premier League acknowledged the departure from tradition, stating that fixture congestion and a reduced number of weekends in the 2025-26 season necessitated spreading Matchweek 18 across the weekend, with remaining games on December 27 and 28. Officials assured fans that a fuller Boxing Day slate is expected next season when the date falls on a Saturday.
Lower divisions, including the Championship, League One, and League Two, maintain full schedules under new TV deals, providing extensive action for football enthusiasts. These developments highlight evolving calendars in both cricket and football, balancing global demands with longstanding holiday customs that draw millions worldwide.
England Stun Australia on Dramatic Boxing Day Test Opener as Premier League Breaks Tradition with Single Fixture
