Boxing Day Test: Attendance record set in 1936/37 at MCG shattered

Melbourne: The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia has broken a record that stood for more than 87 years. On the final day of the fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), fans turned out in massive numbers, surpassing the attendance record set during the 1936/37 Test between Australia and England.  

Since the opening day, cricket enthusiasts flocked to witness the gripping clash between two modern Test giants. On Day 5, the MCG announced the milestone on X, formerly known as Twitter: "We've officially surpassed the attendance record set in 1936/37 when Australia faced England -- a Test which spanned six days!"

Cricket Australia revealed that 51,371 spectators attended the opening session on the final day, with numbers swelling as the day progressed. The historic record set in January 1937 during a six-day Test featuring Donald Bradman’s Australia against England has now been overtaken.  

The daily attendance figures for this Test have been nothing short of remarkable. According to ESPNcricinfo, the daily tallies were as follows: 87,242 on Day 1, 85,147 on Day 2, 83,073 on Day 3, 43,867 on Day 4, and 51,371 on Day 5, with numbers continuing to rise throughout the day.  

In an unusual move, the MCG opened Yarra Park outside the ground on Day 5 to accommodate the overwhelming crowd, a rare occurrence in cricket.