Boxing Day Test Memorable Moments #4 – Hayden and Symonds smash England

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.

The largest second day crowd (75,700) at a Boxing Day Test was treated to a 279-run partnership between Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden that batted Australia into a winning position against England.

Crowd favourite Symonds’ position in the side was under question after averaging just 18 in his first 11 Tests, but he answered the critics with his maiden Test century, reaching the milestone with a six over long-on off Paul Collingwood.

Symonds delight was clear to all fans as he hugged great mate Hayden, who had also brought up a century.

The pair came together early on the second day, with Australia struggling at 5-84.

The home side had bowled out England for 159 the previous day, with 89,155 turning up to see Shane Warne claim his 700^th Test wicket.

Hayden and Symonds weathered the storm early in their partnership against the English attack led by Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison then upped the run-rate as the bowlers tired.

Hayden was the first to reach his century, his fifth in Boxing Day Tests, from 170 deliveries.

Symonds wasn’t going to hang around in the “nervous nineties”, hitting Monty Panesar for a boundary to move to 96 then next ball he faced he launched Collingwood over mid-on.

The partnership was broken after 392 deliveries and 278 runs when Hayden was caught behind on 153.

Symonds posted 156 before he edged to the wicketkeeper as well, Australia losing 5-56 after Hayden’s dismissal to be all out for 419.

79,426 people turned up on day three, making it record crowds for each day of the Test.

They saw Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne play their final Test matches at the MCG as the pair picked up three wickets between them as England surrendered for 161 and an innings and 99-run loss.

Watch highlights of Symonds’ innings at http://cricvi.co/UNhRpC

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

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

#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