Boxing Day Test Memorable Moments #1 – Warne’s 700th wicket

In the lead in to the 2012 Boxing Day Test, Cricket Victoria is counting down the 20 most memorable moments from the MCG.

Named one of the seven wonders of the sporting world in 2009, the ‘G plays hosts to Victoria’s international schedule each year and the Boxing Day Test is the jewel in the international calendar.

For further information on this year’s international fixtures at the ‘G, click here.

Not even the craziest storyteller could have scripted a more fitting end to Shane Warne’s Test career than what occurred during the 2006 Boxing Day Test.

Warne claimed his 700^th Test wicket, a feat no man had ever achieved, on the opening day in front of 89,000 Victorians.

After the huge crowd had waited through miserable conditions and 46 overs of play, Victoria’s favourite son delivered a ripping leg-break that spun through Andrew Strauss’ defences and clipped middle stump.

Strauss had just reached his half-century and was looking set at the crease having faced 131 deliveries but even he had no answer to Warne.

On a pitch that suited pace bowlers and with overhead conditions conducive to swing, it would have been understandable if Warne was unable to get much turn out of the surface.

But rising to the occasion as he always had, Warne put on a show for the crowd, tearing through the lower order to finish with 5-39, his 37^th and final five-wicket haul of his career.   

Tickets to Boxing Day had sold out six months earlier at the start of June.

Warne said after the first day’s play that he could not have wished for anything more.

“There are some special days that happen in your life and some special things that happen and that is definitely one of them,” Warne said.

“The birth of your children, getting married, playing your first Test, they’re pretty special. From an individual point of view that’s got to be one of the best days I’ve ever had.”

Warne played 11 Tests at the MCG and claimed 56 wickets, the most in Boxing Day Tests, at an average of 22.92.

Watch Warne’s 700^th wicket at http://cricvi.co/UhYti3

Will you be there at the 2012 Boxing Day Test to see this year’s moment?

Book your tickets at http://cricvi.co/QdOzBY

#2 – Warne’s hat trick http://cricvi.co/UT2IlY
#3 – Last ball Lillee gets Viv http://cricvi.co/Wu4y2o
#4 – Hayden and Symonds smash England http://cricvi.co/VPZS0K
#5 – Border and Thomson’s last wicket stand http://cricvi.co/WkKVG7
#6 – Sehwag blazes 195 http://cricvi.co/T1sINg
#7 – Umpire Hair calls Murali http://cricvi.co/TVgnsm
#8 – Brett Lee’s fiery debut http://cricvi.co/UElTyo
#9 – McGrath helps Hussey to century http://cricvi.co/UAHkCP
#10 – Lawry and Chappell post record partnership http://cricvi.co/Z8jq6W
#11 – Hughes takes on the West Indies  http://cricvi.co/U86Td9
#12 – Headley’s heroics http://cricvi.co/UhUH8m
#13 – Reid destroys England http://cricvi.co/SBxEbg
#14 – Warne’s arrival http://cricvi.co/11N5Gyj
#15 – Ponting at his finest http://cricvi.co/11uTQbK
#16 – Yallop’s marathon http://cricvi.co/VeU14C
#17 – South Africa’s finest win http://cricvi.co/TweTVo
#18 – Dodemaide’s debut http://cricvi.co/V7XvrR
#19 – Tendulkar masterclass http://cricvi.co/QoLCPe
#20 – Pattinson and Siddle lead the attack http://cricvi.co/V9SUc9