Boxing Day Test 2010: A decade on
A look back at a test match ten years ago which will live long in the memory of England fans everywhere
The start of a Boxing Day test during an Ashes series is arguably one of the most highly anticipated in world cricket. On most occasions, the series is over as a contest. The fourth test at Melbourne, more often than not, has England already 3–0 down and out; but not in 2010.
The first day at Melbourne began with the 2010–11 Ashes series on a knife edge at 1–1. A determined display with the bat from Alistair Cook, Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott in the first test in Brisbane saved the match for the tourists was followed up with a thumping innings victory at Adelaide. The Perth test saw England bowled out for 187 and 123 as Australia raced to victory by 267 runs.
Spirits in the England camp were high in Melbourne despite the heavy defeat in Perth. It was the best opportunity for an Ashes victory down under in over 20 years, and on the first morning they pushed home the advantage.
An absolutely devastating bowling performance combined with some questionable shot selections had Australia 63–4 at lunch. The devastation carried on into the afternoon session, and more of this combination had Australia all out for just 98. A shell shocked crowd in the MCG had seen a resurgent Australian team blown apart in their own backyard. Could the Aussie bowling attack follow in the footsteps of their English counterparts? The answer would be overwhelmingly, no.
Strauss and Cook entered the middle after tea on what was still day one. An extended session saw the pair face 47 overs and finish the day on 157–0. A more dominant performance with bat and ball has rarely been seen in an Ashes Test.
The resilience would carry on through the second day as England closed on 444–5 with Jonathan Trott unbeaten on 141. By lunch on day three, he had added 27 and England were all out for 513; a lead of 415 runs.
In pursuit of the mammoth target, Shane Watson and Phil Hughes started well. However, madness set in when the pair set out for a single which was never on. A bonus for England, and the start of a steady decimation of the Australian lineup. The hosts slipped from 99–1 to 162–6 at stumps. England had 2 days to take four wickets.
It took 16 overs on day four to wrap up the win which retained the Ashes for England. When Ben Hilfenhaus edged behind to Matt Prior off the bowling of Tim Bresnan, it meant that the tourists would not lose a series in Australia for the first time in 24 years.
Roughly a decade since this absolute domination of the old enemy on their own turf, an England team has never even come close to repeating the feat. Whether it was a combination of an Australian team in crisis, an England team with many players in the form of their life, or a bit of both, the Ashes victory at Melbourne in 2010 will go down as one of the best England performances in the history of test cricket. Let us hope England fans wont need to wait another 24 years for a similar performance down under.
