Australia is looking to build on its advantage after a commanding win in the first Test in Perth, while Pakistan desperately needs to find form to get back into the series.
Scroll down for live updates from what’s sure to be a rammed MCG on an iconic day in Australian sport.
DAY 1 LIVE
with Tim Michell
7.02PM: STUMPS — AUSTRALIA 3-187
A rain-interrupted day ends with Australia in a strong position to seize control of the Boxing Day Test tomorrow.
Marnus Labuschagne is 44 not out and Travis Head 9 not out as they head to stumps on a longer day one.
A reminder that play starts at 10am local time tomorrow and we’ll be back to take you through all the latest talking points.
Check the News Corp and Code Sports websites for more from today’s play from Daniel Cherny and Robert Craddock.
6.30PM: JAMAL BOWLING ON
Good signs for Pakistan after one of its quicks went off to be assessed.
After a brief period off the field, he’s back out and will continue his spell.
Midway through the over Jamal strikes Marnus above the knee roll but after DRS, ball tracking shows it was missing leg and was too high.
Not the best review from Shan Masood.
6.26PM: PAKISTAN QUICK HURT
First Test hero Aamer Jamal has been hurt while sliding for a ball at fine leg.
The paceman has been replaced by a sub fielder in a concerning sign for Pakistan.
It appeared to be an issue with his hip but was hard to tell.
He was certainly proppy.
And only a few minutes later, Shaheen strikes Travis Head in the shoulder with a beamer.
There’s a bit happening at the MCG.
6.25PM: EARLY START TOMORROW
It’s been confirmed that play will start at 10am local time tomorrow to make up for the time lost during today’s rain delay.
6.20PM: SMITH OUT ON REVIEW
Shan Masood nails the review and Steve Smith has got to go.
Smith was originally given not out but hot spot and Snicko showed the Aussie No.4 had edged behind off the bowling of Jamal.
Smith goes for 26 from 75 balls and Australia if 3-154.
“That is just what Pakistan needed,” says Mike Hussey on Fox Cricket.
Travis Head is in late in the day and the commentators say — don’t expect him to hold back.
6PM: PERTH MAYOR’S SHOT AT BOXING DAY CROWD
Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas has taken a not-so-subtle shot at the MCG crowd after about 61,000 spectators attended day one of the Boxing Day Test.
After questions were asked about the attendance at Perth’s ‘West Test’ througout the four days, Zempilas hit back by tweeting: “Hmmmm. What’s their excuse? Not like you can go to the beach?”
Interestingly, more people turned out to the Boxing Day Test’s opening day than attended the four days in Perth (59,125).
It’s fair to say Zempilas’ tweet did not go down well.
“More people turned up to the MCG with heavy rain forecast than can fit in to Optus Stadium,” Stuart James replied.
Another said: “That Perth chip on your shoulder is really weighing you down Basil.”
And one added: “Critiquing an attendance of 60,000 on a day where 15ml of rain was forecast is not quite the flex you think it is.”
And on the field, Steve Smith successfully reviewed after being given out lbw off the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Replays showed the ball was travelling over the stumps.
5.50PM: VAUGHAN CONCERNED FOR MARNUS
Former England captain Michael Vaughan fears Marnus Labuschagne has been exposed on a “fourth-stump line” and will comtinue to be targeted by opposition teams.
Vaughan said the Aussie No.3 had gone into the mindset of surviving outside off stump and “the fun element of batting has gone out the window”.
“The problem that Marnus has is that teams are just going to continuously bowl just outside of off-stump. He’s had a couple of dismissals over recent times where he has edged a couple of drives,” he said on Fox Cricket.
“He just doesn’t look like he’s owning that channel at all.”
Labuschagne has struggled the rhythm in this innings and is 21 from 80 balls late on day one.
“Labuschagne just doesn’t look right. Around that channel of the fourth stump line,” Vaughan said.
“You see that right shoulder, he gets squared up and that ball’s not doing a great deal. A hint of movement but it’s not doing a huge amount.”
After Labuschagne missed a full toss from Mir Hamza, Vaughan said: “Just look at the technical side there of Marnus. That’s a full toss.
“His feet have gone nowhere near the line of that ball. That ball started outside off stump by a good yard and it ended up going a bit further. His feet didn’t get anywhere near it.”
5.20PM: WARNER – SYDNEY IS DEFINITELY THE END
David Warner has confirmed he has no plans to rethink his Test retirement and will farewell the longest format in Sydney.
Ian Healy was among the most prominent calls for Warner to play on after his first Test century in Perth.
Warner was asked on Fox Cricket whether a Sydney farewell remained his plan: “Yes it is. Definitely.”
He said the reality of playing in his last Boxing Day Test made him a bit emotional.
“It’s a tough one to answer, in time I think you sit back and reflect. For me it’s about being in the moment and playing in the moment,” he said.
“Coming here Boxing Day in front of a packed house, it still sends shivers down my spine. As a kid you want to play the big days and this and New Year’s Day Test.
“For me to come out here and understand it’s my last one it is a little bit teary. But I’m happy. I’ve made the right decision. I’ve got my beautiful girls at home and it’s been a great journey.”
5.08PM: PLAY RESUMES
The news we were hoping for. Play is back underway at the MCG.
Can Pakistan make further inroads or will Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne take control?
4.51PM: WE CAN SEE THE PITCH
Oh my goodness we might actually get some more play today. The umpires have had a look, seem happy and Pakistan is out doing its warm-up. The restart has been earmarked for 5.10pm. A reminder, they can play until 7pm so we might even get the best part of a session in. There will be 26.2 overs left in the day.
4.34PM: THE COVERS ARE OFF AGAIN
I apologise if I have jinxed us again. But the big cover is actually being rolled up this time. All going to plan there will be a pitch inspection at 4.50pm.
4.30PM: GREEN’S REVENGE AFTER STARC, CUMMINS’ IPL PAYDAYS
After copping plenty of ribbing from his teammates when he was snapped up for $3.15m in the IPL auction, Cameron Green has been getting his own back.
Mitchell Starc, who was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for $4.43m, revealed Green had been getting his revenge on teammates after this year’s auction.
Pat Cummins was snapped up for $3.67m, so Green is now a fair way down the list of Aussies on the IPL auction record list.
“You speak about it in auctions, who goes for the most. We certainly gave Greeny some stick when he went for over three (million), so he’s been getting some back this week,” Starc said on Channel 7.
“I think it comes with the territory. Likewise, I’ve had a bit of experience with the ups and downs so I think I’ll just take in my stride and try to put the balls in the right spot.”
4.15PM: TIME FOR MORE WOMEN’S TEST CRICKET?
Speaking after her side’s Test loss in Mumbai, new Aussie skipper Alyssa Healy said she hoped more women’s Test matches could be added to the international calendar.
“What an amazing experience to come over here and play test cricket, they’re not easy to win over here as we’ve found out,” Healy said.
“We’d love to play a few more to make it really interesting.“We probably just had one bad day, the first day, but the rest of the time we showed a lot of fight so I’m proud of our effort.”
What do you think?
Back at the MCG, it has been confirmed that play must restart by 5.30pm and can be extended to 7pm if we get back on.
4.03PM: THE COVERS ARE OFF — AND BACK ON
Well that was an anticlimax.
The crowd cheered as the covers came off — and this blogger even dared to tweet an optimistic picture.
But within minutes light rain is falling again and the groundsmen are scrambling to get the pitch covered again.
3.55PM: WAUGH — EXPECT A BIG INNINGS FROM SMITH
Mark Waugh has forecast a big innings from Steve Smith as he the Aussie superstar tries to play himself back into peak form.
The 34-year-old’s last Test century was in the second Test of the Ashes and he has scored 756 runs at an average of 30.2 in internationals since.
Waugh said he expected Smith to answer any questions about his form at the MCG, a ground where he has a formidable record.
“It’s funny, they say experience is great but when you’ve got experience you tend to think of what can go wrong. When you’re young and free you just go out there and play. You’re not so inundated with other thoughts,” Waugh said.
“I don’t think he’s batting quite as well as he has in recent years. Those two deliveries that got him out in Perth, Shahzad got him out both times. He’s not going to play here, so that’s a bonus for Steve Smith. You don’t expect him to nick anything or miss anything. He’s missing some balls that are on his pads as well at the moment.
“He’s not playing poorly, he’s not quite at the peak of his game, but this is the sort of time where he’ll play a big innings and turn it all around. He’s that good a player.
“He thinks about the opposition so much. He solves weaknesses. He’ll be frustrated, but I think he’s got a big innings in him.”
Smith will resume at 2 not out from 26 balls in this innings.
3.37PM: PITCH INSPECTION TAKING PLACE
The umpires have come out to the MCG — holding umbrellas — and appear to be chatting to the groundsman Matt Page.
The crowd who have hung around were cheering as hopes of further play on day one are boosted ever so slightly.
The rain is light but is still falling which poses a problem though.
3.30PM: STILL RAINING…
Not sure the worst of the storm has hit the MCG, but the rain has been steady since players went from the field.
If I had to guess, I would suggest the chances of any more play on day one are remote.
3.15PM: HUSSEY REFLECTS ON HALL OF FAME HONOUR
‘Mr Cricket’ Mike Hussey has expressed his gratitude after today being named in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
“I can’t believe it really,’’ Hussey said. “It’s a strange sort of feeling. It feels a bit surreal. My overwhelming emotion is probably gratitude.
Former women’s captain Lyn Larsen was also inducted.
3PM: WARNE’S LEGACY LIVES ON
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne is being honoured at this Test and heart health checks are available for patrons to take at the MCG.
His children Jackson, Summer and Brookie spoke to Fox Cricket earlier today about what the initiative means to them and their family.
2.35PM: AUSSIES WERE IN ‘SURVIVAL MODE’
Joe Barton
The scene at the MCG is getting more bleak by the minute – as a massive storm approaches, and it was making life out in the middle a nightmare for Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
The Australian batsmen have been in ‘survival mode’ according to former Test star Michael Hussey, as they waited for the rain to hit.
Play has since been halted, with the forecast looking rather grim – but in the hour before they were forced from the field Pakistan’s quicks had the ball hooping under overcast skies.
And that was not a fun scenario for Australia’s leading batsmen.
“Obviously the light has faded a little bit there, clouds are coming over and it’s swinging around a bit. Just trying to get through this little period,” Labuschagne told Fox Cricket during a drinks break, as he grinded his way to 14 off 47 balls.
“It’s dark, let’s just leave it at that.”
Smith and Labuschagne have added just six runs in nine-and-a-half overs, crawling along at just 0.63 runs per over.
“It’s been a great challenge for them, that last half an hour or so in particular,” Hussey said.
“They’re just in survival mode, really. Trying to get through unscathed and hope the light can improve later in the day.”
During the rain delay, why not have a crack at our quiz?
2.23PM: THE COVERS ARE ON
Bad news at the MCG.
The drizzle has started and players have rushed from the field.
The main covers are on.
Australia is 2-114 with Marnus Labuschagne 14 not out and Steve Smith 2 not out.
1.45PM: RAIN CLOSES IN ON MCG
The rain which was supposed to wipe day one of the Boxing Day Test out entirely seems to be on the way.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s radar is showing a large band of rain is closing on Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs and heading in the direction of the MCG.
Earlier projections had a 10 per cent chance of 6mm of rain at 2pm and a 25 per cent chance of 2mm of rain.
The MCG has also issued a severe weather warning to the crowd of about 60,000 people.
“Severe weather may affect the local area in the following hours. In the event of severe weather, patrons are asked to follow instructions from event staff and seek shelter from exposed areas of the venue,” a message on the MCG scoreboards read.
Fingers crossed.
1.36PM: PAKISTAN STRIKES AGAIN
Game on!
Usman Khawaja flashes at a ball that is probably too close to cut and Salman holds on at second slip.
It’s Hasan Ali with the wicket and Australia is 2-108.
Suddenly the Aussies are feeling a bit of heat as Steve Smith joins Marnus Labuschagne.
“He’s bowled well Hasan Ali. He’s looked the most threatening,” says Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket.
“They needed that Pakistan (and) Hasan Ali is the man.”
1.35PM: LANGER’S BRUTAL TAKE ON WARNER DROP
Former Australian coach Justin Langer didn’t mince words when speaking about Abdullah Shafique’s drop.
The first-slip fielder gave David Warner a life on two with an effort Langer said was “impossible to drop”.
“It’s impossible to drop those for an international player,” Langer told Channel 7.
“That’s as easy a catch that you’ll ever see in Test cricket. You’re right, Pakistan – I said it before the Test Series started, I said it before this Test – if Pakistan have got any chance of fighting back in this series, they must field better than they did.
“That’s an impossible catch to drop. While he’ll feel sick about it, it’s not acceptable at international level.”
1.15PM: HOPE FOR PAKISTAN AFTER WARNER WICKET
Former Australian opener Simon Katich has urged Pakistan’s quicks to bowl fuller in the second session as they look for a way back into the Boxing Day Test.
The wicket of David Warner before lunch has given Pakistan some hope after a lacklustre opening session at the MCG.
Speaking on SEN, Katich said: “There’s enough movement out there, I just think Pakistan probably didn’t quite bowl full enough to the left-handers and they also didn’t take that chance. It could have been a totally different session.
“Take an early catch, get an early wicket, expose Labuschagne who didn’t make runs in the first Test in Perth. It’s a great batting opportunity now because the sun has come out, wicket looks all right. There’s still just a little bit there if they get it on that fuller length.”
1PM: KHAWAJA ECLIPSES AN ENTIRE COUNTRY
Robert Craddock
Test cricket has seen more of Usman Khawaja batting in 2023 than the entire South African Test team.
Khawaja claimed cricket’s most bizarre stat of the year when he faced his 55th ball against Pakistan at the MCG which meants he had faced 2745 balls in total in 2023.
That’s one more than the entire South African cricket side who have faced just 2744 entering tonight’s Boxing Day Test against India at Centurion.
It is a reflection both of Khawaja’s stunning year and South Africa’s lack of Tests.
Khawaja, undefeated on 36 off 80 balls, has played 13 while South Africa have played just three.
The Proteas, running low in finances and seeing white ball cricket as their route to better days, have played just one against Australia and two against the West Indies.
12.30PM: WARNER FALLS IN LAST OVER BEFORE LUNCH
Pakistan has the breakthrough.
After a sluggish bowling effort for much of the first sesion, it’s the spinner Salman who gets David Warner.
Warner went for the big drive but only succeeded in edging to a grateful Babar Azam at slip.
They’ll take lunch now as well after Warner’s dismsissal for 38 with Australia 1-90.
Boy did Pakistan need that.
And with it being lunch, we’re going to take a short breather.
12.05PM: O’KEEFE — YOUNG GUNS IN LONG-TERM MIX TO REPLACE WARNER
Kerry O’Keefe has thrown two rising Victorians into the mix to be Australia’s long-term replacement for David Warner.
O’Keefe, who floated New South Wales teenager Sam Konstas as an option during the Perth Test, said Harry Dixon and Dylan Brasher were talents selectors should be monitoring.
Brasher scored 79 not out in the tour match against Pakistan at Junction Oval this week, while Dixon has been tuoted as a future international after blitzing England in youth Tests.
O’Keefe told Fox Cricket the pecking order to replace Warner was becoming clearer.
“I have got to say the top tier is Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft. Cameron Green is on the next tier as a smoky to go from six to one,” O’Keefe said.
“And on the next tier are three very gifted young fellows. Harry Dixon, Victoria, (Dylan) Brasher the Victorian and Sam Konstas, New South Wales. Brasher got a 70 odd not (out) against Pakistan in the warm-up game.”
Earlier, Mike Hussey warned against picking a makeshift opener to replace Warner.
11.50AM: WARNER MOVES AHEAD OF WAUGH
David Warner has become Australia’s second-most prolific international batter of all time during this innings.
Warner has gone past Steve Waugh across three formats after reaching 20 at the MCG.
Ricky Ponting is still about 9000 runs in front at No.1 though.
11.25AM: WASIM’S WARNING FOR BBL STAR RAUF
Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has warned Haris Rauf risks being forgotten if he continues to prioritise T20 cricket over Test matches.
Rauf opted out of the Test tour of Australia to play in the Big Bash League for Melbourne Stars, a decision which was condemned by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“Haris Rauf has got pace, we all know that. If he wants to play at this level, Test cricket, if he wants to, it’s a very simple solution,” Akram said on Fox Cricket. “You go play first-class cricket, at least play five-six games, bowl some spells and get your body strong and then come back (to) Test cricket. But I suppose his advisers all around him want him to be a T20 specialist. And remember, nobody remembers T20 performances. It’s Test cricket we talk about all the time.”
Michael Vaughan added:“It’s down to the players to decide. You’d hope that Test cricket is still the pinnacle. It’s the hardest format. It challenges your mentality, your body. We’ve mentioned injuries, but it challenges you, particularly as a fast bowler.”
11.10AM: TEAMMATES’ SUPPORT FOR KHAWAJA
with Jacob Kuriype
Mitchell Starc has echoed captain Pat Cummins’ support of Usman Khawaja after the opener’s plans to don stickers of a dove with an olive branch on his bat and shoes were vetoed by the ICC.
Khawaja called out the ICC for “double standards” via Instagram on Monday night, posting a montage of images including his bat, and the bible verse on Labuschagne’s bat alongside the ICC’s regulations.
“We’re all right behind Uzzie there and his views and how he wants to go about it,” Starc said on SEN Radio ahead of play on day one of the Boxing Day Test. “Certainly he has got the backing of the changeroom. Some inconsistencies that have gone on in the past – it is what it is. The changeroom certainly supports him in his views there.”
“Yes, we’re cricketers and we’re certainly out on the field to perform in what we do, but we’re also humans with feelings and beliefs and I think it’s a space to express those as well.
“There’s obviously a line but certainly our changeroom backs anyone with views on the world or issues or what may be. In Uzzie’s case, he’s certainly got the backing of the changeroom and how he feels about the situation at the moment.”
10.43AM: WARNER DROPPED
That is a huge early let-off for David Warner and a big miss from Pakistan.
Shaheen gets the edge from Warner and it flies to first slip at a great height for catching.
But Abdullah Shafique hardly gets a hand to it and Warner has an early reprieve.
“Can you believe it? Afridi can’t. Big life for Warner. That is the worst possible start for Pakistan. You can not be giving these sort of chances to this sort of batting line-up. That’s pretty well as simple as it gets,” says Adam Gilchrist on Fox Cricket.
On Channel 7, Waqar Younis says: “As easy as it gets. If you’re not going to catch these, you’re going to be in trouble.”
10.40AM: NO BOLAND FOR BOXING DAY
Scott Boland took more wickets in his fist 10 Tests than Glenn McGrath or Shane Warne … but will he play an 11th?
Life’s tough on fringe quicks these days. Because every match counts in the new World Test Championship, rest and rotation have become dirty words.
Pat Cummins, who once said Boland was his favorite player, was very optimistic about Boland getting a go this season despite his omission at his beloved MCG against Pakistan in the second Test.
READ MORE FROM ROBERT CRADDOCK HERE…
10.25AM: WHY PAKISTAN BOWLED FIRST
Pakistan captain Shan Masood says the recent success of teams which have bowled first at the MCG was a factor in his side’s decision to field on day one of the Boxing Day Test.
He told Fox Cricket: “Just having looked at the MCG for the past three years, the bowling first side has done well. There’s been a bit of weather around, so we’d just like to (take) every opportunity we do with the ball.”
Masood acknowledged sending the Australians in was a risk, but wanted to back his bowlers to extract something from a pitch which has been under covers for the past two days.
“I think (the pitch) has changed. We were at the T20 World Cup here last year. Pretty similar look. You could see even then there was a lot of lateral movement,” he said.
“So we can expect that to stay the same through the course of the game. Hopefully it won’t crack up like Perth, at the end of the day, that’s why we’ve took that risk to bowl first.
“And I think there will be enough for the bowlers. But there’s always something for the batsmen. Whoever plays well, there’s always value for your shots and we’ve seen decent scores at this ground as well.”
Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has his doubts.
When asked whether the visitors have enough firepower to trouble the Australian batters, he said: “It’s going to swing. That’s why they won the toss and elected to field. Firepower? Maybe not. The pace is not there. But experience with Hasan Ali coming in and Mir Hamza coming in, they won’t give away unnecessary runs and that’s what I think they should do when they come on to bowl.”
10AM – TOSS
with Jacob Kuriype
Australia will bat first after Pat Cummins lost the toss was sent in by Pakistan captain Shan Masood.
Defying tradition somewhat, Masood opted to take the ‘risk’ of bowling first after spotting a decent amount of grass on the MCG wicket. The tourists have gambled on a seam-heavy attack, naming four quicks alongside the part-time spin of Agha Salman.
Australia named an unchanged line-up from the XI who demolished Pakistan in the first Test in Perth – meaning hometown hero Scott Boland will not get a chance to repeat his Boxing Day Test heroics of years gone by.
Cummins said he was eager to have a bowl also under overcast skies, but admitted he wasn’t too disappointed to give David Warner and Usman Khawaja an early shot at setting the tone on Boxing Day.
“(Winning in Melbourne) would be the cherry on top,” Cummins said of the prospect of finishing 2023 with another victory.
TEAMS
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan XII: Imam-Ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Aamir Jamal, Mir Hamza, Shaheen Afridi
SKULL BACKS PAKISTAN TO BOUNCE BACK
Former Australia spinner Kerry O’Keeffe believes Pakistan is better set-up for success in the Boxing Day Test than it was for the series opener.
The touring side has rung the changes for the MCG encounter, with wicketkeeper Safaraz Ahmed dropped for Mohammad Rizwan after a lean outing in Perth. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf has also been omitted, while seamer Khurram Shahzad has been ruled out through injury. Replacing the duo will be two of Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza and spin-bowling all-rounder Sajid Khan.
“I think Pakistan look stronger (than the first Test),” O’Keeffe told Fox Sports News. “They’ve omitted Sarfaraz Ahmed, and brought in Mohammad Rizwan – that’s a plus, Rizwan has form against Australia.
“Faheem Ashraf leaked far too many runs last Test, Hasan Ali will probably play, he’s a striker, he gets people out.
“And Sajid Khan is their spinner … can he bowl Australia out on the last day? That’s the question. He’s a 30-year-old journey man, he’ll support the quicker bowlers, but it’ll be the seamers that determine whether Pakistan win this Test match.”
Australia has confirmed an unchanged XI.
HEAD EYES DUAL MILESTONE
If this year has belonged to any Australian cricketer, it’s Travis Head.
Head etched his name into cricketing folklore with a matchwinning century in the World Cup final, but it’s against the red ball he has truly made his presence felt.
The southpaw is Test cricket’s second highest run-scorer in 2023 (902 at 45.10) and will achieve a career first if he tallies 98 runs in the Boxing Day match. That would take him to 1000 Test runs in a calendar year for the first time and past 3000 career runs.
The one batter to have enjoyed a more prolific Test year is Usman Khawaja (1168 at 55.61). Speaking to the vastly differing roles they play for the side, Khawaja has faced more than double the deliveries Head has in 2023 – 2689 to 1183.
Steve Smith with 852 runs at 42.65 rounds out an all-Australian top-three for Test run-scorers in the calendar year.
Despite a stint on the sidelines with an injured calf, Nathan Lyon is top of the tree for Test wickets with 43 at 23.62.
INDIA-PAKISTAN BLOCKBUSTER WOULD BLOW BOXING DAY AWAY
Waqar Younis has backed the idea of a blockbuster Pakistan-India Test at the MCG.
“Why not? That would be awesome,” the former Pakistan captain told ESPN.
“We played Australia back in the days, I think, in England and that was really happening because England has got a lot of Pakistan (community).
“It was a packed house.
Just imagine Pakistan-India playing here at the MCG with 100,000, over 100,000 people.
“It’d be awesome.
The push for the MCG to be used as a neutral venue to host the two countries in a one-off Test or series gathered momentum after more than 90,000 fans watched the rivals in Melbourne during the T20 World Cup.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victorian Tourism Industry Council and State Government all threw their support behind the concept.
Wasim Akram told this masthead in September: “I think the MCG as you saw in the last World Cup would be the perfect venue.
“Pakistan would also be an ideal venue if India wants, but if India wants a neutral venue, then I think Australia would be an ideal place.”
Originally published as Boxing Day Test live: Follow the action from Australia v Pakistan second Test
