Get ready for Boxing Day 2023: Sports Galore Await!
Only a few days remain until Christmas Eve. People have already completed their Christmas preparations and are eagerly awaiting the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and make this special occasion joyous. Yet, the excitement doesn’t end there; it still extends to the next day and is celebrated as Boxing Day. Yes, Boxing Day is traditionally celebrated every year on December 26, the day after Christmas. It is a time for people to gather with family and friends and to spread joy by sharing and helping others.
In addition, another common topic of discussion on Boxing Day is the Boxing Day Test. What is it? The Boxing Day Test is an annual cricket match scheduled to take place on December 26th at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match will feature the Australian cricket team competing against a visiting national team. When people come together, they liven up the town and create memorable moments. Another important event that takes place on Boxing Day is the English Premier League. Overall, Boxing Day is filled with entertainment and joy.
In this article, we will share a story about the upcoming Boxing Day in 2023. So, let’s take a deep breath and dive into the details. Oh, wait, before we get into this blog, let’s wish you a happy holiday season.
What is Boxing Day?
Boxing Day is traditionally celebrated annually on December 26th, following Christmas. It has been recognized as a public holiday since 1871. Some people might think that Boxing Day is a festival related to the sport of boxing, but it is not. The name “Boxing Day” is derived from the tradition of wealthy families presenting gifts to the poor in boxes. However, it is also known as charity drives, where boxes are placed in churches on Christmas Day to collect money for the poor. These boxes are then opened on Boxing Day. Earlier, people celebrated this day as St. Stephen’s Day. It is called St. Stephen’s Day because he was a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who helped the poor during his lifetime. However, because he believed in God, he was stoned to death by the Pharisees. From that day on, people celebrate the day by remembering Stephen and continuing the service he provided during his time.
In the 1800s, during Queen Victoria’s reign, Boxing Day was a special day for servants. They were given the day off and received gifts from their masters as a token of appreciation for their services and to celebrate the joyous occasion. Eventually, this remarkable day will be celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries.
How is Boxing Day celebrated today?
In this century, the method of celebration has completely changed: “There’s no feast.” “It’s all about the leftovers!” On Boxing Day, the leftover turkey is turned into sandwiches and drinks. Later, they spent some time watching the sports specially organized for Boxing Day. Some people will go shopping after Christmas to exchange or return items and take advantage of exclusive sales. But still, people follow the tradition of exchanging gifts with the poor to remember the Stephens. Another popular event that takes place on Boxing Day is the Boxing Day Dip, a charitable event organized by the Lions Club of Sunderland, England. After three years of lockdown, it is coming back with a bang. People are participating in swimming in fancy dresses.
Boxing Day Test
If you are a passionate fan of cricket, then you might be familiar with the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test. As mentioned earlier, the Boxing Day Test occurs annually on December 26th. Teams like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand will host the game, with other teams playing on their home grounds. Looking at the history of the Boxing Day Test, the first match took place between Australia and England in 1950–51. The event started on December 22–27. Later in 1980, only the Australia Cricket Board and Melbourne Cricket Club agreed to conduct the Boxing Day Test annually at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Boxing Day Test 2023 Schedule
Match: Australia vs. Pakistan
Date: 26 December 2023 to 30 December 2023
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Address: Brunton Ave, Richmond VIC 3002, Australia
Time: 10.00 AM AEDT | 5.00 AM IST
Broadcast: The Boxing Day Test 2023 will be broadcast on Australian TV channels such as Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
Weather Forecast: The Boxing Day Test is sunny with 10% rain and a peak temperature of 27 degrees.
Match Overview
After an 182-run victory in the Boxing Day Test 2022 against South Africa, Australia is entering this year with high hopes and exceptional strategy. This year, they will face Pakistan in the second test of their three-match series. The first Test series match took place on December 14, 2023, at Perth Stadium. The game was played on a poor pitch, but Australia’s strong bowling attack helped them defeat Pakistan by 360 runs. During this match, Nathan Lyon, an off-spinner, achieved his 500th test wicket, making it the cherry on top of the game.
Australia
For the upcoming match, Australia has announced a 13-player squad comprising a blend of seasoned and promising talent for the Boxing Day Test in 2023. The team will be led by Captain Pat Cummins, who will demonstrate phenomenal leadership in fast bowling and guide the team in the right direction. Eventually, we will be able to see his performance in the World Test Championship against India. The squad also includes Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and David Warner.
After a hard-fought victory against Pakistan, Australia is now feeling confident about their gameplay because they are entering with the same squad that put up a tough fight against Pakistan. Additionally, Pat Cummins shared his opinion, stating, “I don’t think injuries will be an issue, so I dare say it will be a pretty similar lineup at this stage.”
Pakistan
Following their disappointing loss in the opening test game against Australia, they planned a two-day practice session against the Victoria XI to prepare for a stronger performance against Australia. This fixture was not on the schedule, but concerned about their performance in the Boxing Day Test 2023, they requested this practice match. Eventually, the previous defeat led to their suffering 15 consecutive test losses on Australian soil.
Shan Masood, the new test captain with four test centuries to his name, will lead the team. In his previous matchup against Australia, he led the team with a flawless inning, scoring an unbeaten 201 off 298 balls. The other members include Abdullah Shafique, Imam ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, and Faheem Ashraf. We hope that after their previous loss, Pakistan will bounce back stronger and provide tough competition to Australia.
Premier League Boxing Day 2023 fixtures
This year, there are five English Premier League matches scheduled for Boxing Day 2023, which falls on December 26, 2023. The teams will play against their local rivals to avoid travel for the team and to allow fans to enjoy Boxing Day without any hurdles.
- Newcastle vs. Nottingham Forest
- Bournemouth vs. Fulham
- Sheffield United vs. Luton
- Burnley vs. Liverpool
- Manchester United vs. Aston Villa
How to watch Premier League Boxing Day?
The games will be broadcast on Sky Sports or TNT Sports, and you can also watch them on Amazon Prime Video.
Predictions
Here are the two key team predictions for the Boxing Day match in 2023.
Burnley F.C. vs. Liverpool F.C.
Burnley will face Liverpool at Turf Moor on December 26, 2023. Looking at their head-to-head clash, Liverpool has won the last five games against Burnley at Turf Moor. They are currently delivering a phenomenal performance, holding second place in the standings with 11 wins, 5 draws, and one loss. While this season did not meet expectations for Burnley, their underperformance has left them in second-to-last place with only two wins, two draws, and thirteen losses. Liverpool’s consistent performance helped them make Boxing Day 2023 even better and win the game.
Manchester United F.C. vs. Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa will be hosting Manchester United at Old Trafford Stadium on December 26, 2023. Both teams are delivering exceptional performances this season. Aston Villa enters this match with 12 wins, two draws, and three losses, placing them third in the standings. Meanwhile, Manchester United is in 7th place with 9 wins, 1 draw, and 7 losses. In recent days, Manchester United has suffered continuous defeats, while Aston Villa has been on a winning streak; therefore, Aston Villa is likely to win this game.
Final Thoughts
We hope that we have given you an overview of Boxing Day 2023 and highlighted some of the important sports events that will take place on this special day. You can enjoy this festive occasion with family and friends and cheer on your team to victory. To stay up-to-date on sports, visit our website.
