December 23, 2024: As the Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 looms large, Australian superstars Steve Smith and Pat Cummins are on the verge of achieving major milestones in what promises to be a thrilling encounter against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With the series tied at 1-1, both teams are eager to gain the upper hand, and the achievements of these two Australian icons could add extra flair to an already high-stakes match.
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Steve Smith, one of the best batsmen in the world, has been a standout performer for Australia, especially in Boxing Day Tests. The MCG has been a venue where Smith has consistently delivered, with his remarkable record at the ground making him a Boxing Day specialist. In 11 Boxing Day Tests, all at the MCG, Smith has accumulated 1,093 runs at an average of 78.07, including four centuries and five fifties. His best score of 192 runs against India in a 2014 encounter remains one of his most memorable performances.
Smith is now just 191 runs away from reaching 10,000 Test runs, a milestone that would place him among an elite group of players. If he achieves this feat, he would become just the fourth Australian batsman after Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh to reach this remarkable landmark.
Currently, Smith has 9,809 runs from 112 Tests and 200 innings, at an impressive average of 56.05. With 33 centuries and 41 fifties to his name, Smith’s consistency at the crease is undeniable, and his contributions in the series will be crucial as Australia looks to take the lead in this vital Test.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins is also nearing a significant milestone in his illustrious career. The fast bowler is just eight wickets away from becoming the seventh Australian bowler to reach 500 international wickets. With 492 wickets in 212 matches, Cummins has been a cornerstone of Australia’s bowling attack across all formats. Of these, 283 wickets have come in Test cricket, making him one of the premier fast bowlers in the longest format of the game.
What makes this milestone even more special is that Cummins is also on the brink of becoming the first-ever cricketer to take 200 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) since its inception in 2019. He needs 11 more wickets to achieve this, further cementing his place in history.
Cummins has been at his best in Boxing Day Tests, delivering some of his finest performances at the MCG. In seven Boxing Day Tests, he has claimed 35 wickets at an outstanding average of 17.00. His best performance at the MCG came when he took 6/23 against India, and he has also claimed four five-wicket hauls in Boxing Day Tests, demonstrating his ability to dominate in this prestigious fixture.
The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia is always one of the most anticipated matches in the cricket calendar, and with these monumental milestones on the horizon for Smith and Cummins, the stakes have only been raised. Both players have the opportunity to make history and play crucial roles in Australia’s quest to regain the lead in the BGT.
As India and Australia face off in what promises to be a gripping contest, the performances of these two stalwarts will undoubtedly be key to the outcome of the match. Whether it’s Smith’s pursuit of 10,000 Test runs or Cummins’ chase for his 500th international wicket, the Boxing Day Test is sure to be filled with history-making moments for Australian cricket.
