Boxing Day Test Memorable Moments #18 鈥 Dodemaide鈥檚 debut

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.

For a Victorian cricketer, it doesn’t get any better than making your debut in a Boxing Day Test and performing well.

In 1987, Tony Dodemaide did just that.

Brought in as a replacement for an injured Merv Hughes, the match started perfectly for Dodemaide in front of 51,807 Victorians, claiming the wicket of New Zealand opener Phil Horne in the opening session.

The Kiwis posted 317 in their first innings, thanks mainly to John Wright (99) and Martin Crowe (82), while Craig McDermott claimed 5-97.

New Zealand legend Richard Hadlee ripped through the Australian top-order late on day two, dismissing David Boon, Geoff Marsh, Dean Jones and Mike Valetta to leave the home side precariously placed at 5-121.

The third day saw an Australian fight back led by Peter Sleep (90) and Dodemaide (50) as they gave their side a 40-run lead.

Dodemaide became just the second Australian, after Victorian Albert Trott in 1901, to take a five-wicket haul and make a half-century on debut when he collected 6-58 in New Zealand’s second innings.

Dodemaide remains one of only two players, with West Indian Fidel Edwards, to have taken a bag of five wickets on both one-day international and Test debut.

Australia were set 247 to win on the final day and at 4-176 they looked set for victory requiring just 71 from 28 overs but another lion-hearted performance from Hadlee (5-67) swung the match in New Zealand’s favour.

The third-highest day five attendance at a Boxing Day Test, 23,859, were on the edge of their seats as Mike Whitney and Craig McDermott had to keep out the last 29 deliveries of the match to hang on for a draw.

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

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

#19 – Tendulkar masterclass http://cricvi.co/QoLCPe
#20- Pattinson and Siddle lead the attack http://cricvi.co/V9SUc9