Time to pack the tinsel away as a result of the true cricket fan’s Christmas has arrived — the Boxing Day Test on the MCG!
Follow all of the motion stay all through the primary day’s play proper right here.
10.20AM SHANE WARNE TRIBUTES UNDERWAY
Both groups have floppy hats on and there and lots of of hundreds within the stands because the MCG prepares to have a good time the lifetime of Shane Warne. David Warner’s three daughters are with him to mark his a centesimal Test. If you missed Warner’s tell-all interview with Ben Horne, catch up right here.
A tribute video of a few of Warnie’s greatest moments is enjoying on the MCG scoreboards with Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’. It’s a fairly superb second as gamers from each groups pause and switch to observe among the greatest moments from Shane Warne’s legendary profession. The crowd, gamers and officers stand as one and applaud.
10.12AM TEAM NEWS
As we came upon yesterday, Australia is unchanged with native hero Scott Boland retaining his spot with Josh Hazlewood nonetheless not 100 per cent. Theunis De Bruyne is in to bat at No.3 for South Africa. As the vacationers hinted at on Christmas Day, they are going to once more go in with Marco Jansen listed at No.7. There was police applause all through the workforce bulletins till Scott Boland’s title was learn out and the MCG went wild.
AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
SOUTH AFRICA: Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi
10:02AM AUSSIES WILL BOWL AFTER WINNING TOSS
Pat Cummins has gained the toss and despatched South Africa in to bat on the MCG. The pitch isn’t anticipated to be something like Brisbane’s inexperienced monster however there may be grass masking which is able to provide help for the Australian bowlers early. It will probably be a giant take a look at of South Africa’s mettle after rolled cheaply twice in Brisbane.
9:50AM CONCERN FOR CRICKET FAN IN LEAD UP TO PLAY
A bit of the MCC members has been cordoned off with employees showing to take care of a patron simply earlier than 10am. Medical employees and police are in attendance on the extent 2 balcony.
LYON BRACING FOR ‘EMOTIONAL’ TRIBUTE TO THE REAL GOAT
Star spinner Nathan Lyon is bracing for an emotional Boxing Day Test as cricket farewells the actual GOAT – his childhood hero, Shane Warne.
The Australian workforce will probably be similar to most followers sitting within the stands on the MCG on Monday once they honour a sporting icon who impressed them to like the sport.
Fox Cricket has ready a stirring tribute video that will probably be performed on the large screens when the gamers, all sporting white floppy hats, are lined up on the sector earlier than play to pay tribute to some of the bigger than life characters Australia has recognized.
Warne’s son Jackson will be a part of Fox Cricket’s protection throughout the day for what the community is looking ‘The Shane Warne Boxing Day Test’, in reminiscence of their beloved commentator.
Lyon, an all-time Test nice in his personal proper with greater than 450 Test wickets, has paid tribute to the cricketer he seemed as much as forward of a special occasion on the MCG.
“I’ve got the nickname of the GOAT, which is a bit ridiculous,” Lyon mentioned.
“That’s Shane. He is the greatest.
“It’s going to be a very emotional Test for everyone. It’s going to be very special that this is going to be the first Test since his passing at his home ground.
“For us to be out in the middle with everyone else who is honouring Shane Warne, it’s going to be special.”
Warne’s cap quantity 350 will probably be emblazoned on the MCG outfield throughout the Test and at 3.50pm on Boxing Day Warne’s picture will seem on the large display.
During the Test, the Warne spotlight reels will roll.
Lyon admits he by no means fairly received used to the joys of turning as much as a Test match and bumping into Warne out within the center earlier than play.
After play completed on day 4 of the primary Test of the 2019 Ashes tour in England, Warne requested to fulfill Lyon outdoors the dressing rooms.
With Australia needing to take 10 wickets on the final day to take a 1-0 victory, Warne spoke to Lyon about how he should realise he had the facility because the spinner within the aspect to “control the tempo” of the sport and make England play on his phrases.
The subsequent day Lyon took six wickets in a convincing victory which set the platform for Australia to reclaim the Ashes for the primary time in twenty years.
“When you think back at it now, it’s absolutely incredible,” Lyon mentioned.
“Mind blowing stuff.”
For Lyon, Warne made spin bowling cool, and the Australian star is dedicated to persevering with his hero’s legacy of inspiring a brand new technology of younger Aussie youngsters to present it a tweak.
“It’s all about trying to keep the legacy alive I guess,” Lyon mentioned.
“I think it’s a massive role and massive opportunity for myself to keep the spin culture alive and well inside Australian cricket.
“Warnie was obviously the biggest (influence) you could ever imagine. Especially as a young kid growing up in Australia, all I wanted to do was be like Shane Warne.
“If I can keep that dream going for a lot of kids, boys and girls out there in Australian cricket, then I’m doing my role.”
Warne’s son Jackson, who spoke so brilliantly on the public funeral on the MCG earlier this yr, will seem alongside his father’s previous commentary sparring companions throughout the tea break on Fox Cricket.
