Why it is called as Boxing Day Test?

Today Australia is taking on New Zealand at Melbourne for the famous ‘Boxing Day’ Test.

Boxing Day Test is the Test that begins on December 26th and is played by Australia and any other visiting team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Ever wondered why it is called as the ‘Boxing Day’?

Today, December 26th, is celebrated across all the countries that were once part of British empire.
The term ‘Boxing Day’ finds its origins in ‘Christmas Box’, a gift box, traditionally presented to errand boys, post men and other such workers on December 26 for their service through the year — a ritual that began in Great Britain and has since made its way to other countries.

The first Test was played on 1950 and since then, this has become a tradition in Australia and also in New Zealand, South Africa.

The Test played on that day is called Boxing day Test.

Every year the Test will be in Melbourne. However, in 1967, 1972, 1976, it was held on Adelaide.

Since 1980, the Test became a regular at the MCG. Also, only once in 1989, there was an ODI played in the place of Test match and it was against Sri Lanka.

In 2018, India was a part of the Boxing Day Test.