STATS - TEST
Total Matches
119
Matches won batting first
58
Matches won bowling first
43
Average 1st innings Score
307
Average 2nd innings Score
314
Average 3rd innings Score
251
Average 4th innings Score
171
Highest total recorded
Lowest total recorded
Highest score chased
Lowest score defended
STATS - ODI
Total Matches
161
Matches won batting first
78
Matches won bowling first
78
Average 1st innings Score
221
Average 2nd innings Score
194
Highest total recorded
Lowest total recorded
Highest score chased
Lowest score defended
STATS - T20
Total Matches
28
Matches won batting first
11
Matches won bowling first
16
Average 1st innings Score
140
Average 2nd innings Score
124
Highest total recorded
Lowest total recorded
Highest score chased
Lowest score defended
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne
Interesting facts about the MCG:
- It was at the MCG, on February 11, 1984, that an ODI ended in a tie for the first time, both West Indies and Australia made 222.
- The MCG is referred to as the 'Spiritual Home of Australian Sport'.
- The light towers at the MCG are the tallest for any sporting venue across the globe.
- According to a rumour, on January 2, 1955, groundsman Jack House decided to water the pitch on the rest day of the 3rd Ashes Test match between Australia and England to save the 22 yards, after it developed huge cracks on a hot Saturday. However, the Victorian Cricket Association and the Melbourne Cricket Club held an inquiry into the matter and denied the rumour.
- On January 2, 1961, West Indies' Joe Solomon was ruled out hit-wicket, after his hat fell onto the stumps while playing at a Richie Benaud delivery.
- In 1981, Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar took Chetan Chauhan off the field in a Test match, after being disappointed with an LBW decision against him.
- The infamous incident of Greg Chappell, Australia's captain, asking Trevor Chappell to under-arm the final delivery of the match, when New Zealand needed a six off the last ball to the tie the ODI, took place at the MCG on February 1, 1981. Although it was not against the laws, the incident was considered as 'against the spirit of the game.'
- It was at this ground, in 1995, that umpire Darrell Hair called Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing the ball(chucking), seven times during the Boxing Day Test match.
- The MCG is part of the yearly-Melbourne Marathon and has also hosted a few rock concerts.
- On 27 August 1999, an electrical fault caused the city end scoreboard to catch fire, thereby delaying the start of an AFL match by half an hour.
- The MCG is where the Super Sopper was used for the first time.
- On Day 1 of the 2013 Boxing Day Test between Australia and England a crowd count of 91,092, was a record for a single-day attendance in Test match history.
- During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, the MCG was used for military purposes and more than 200,000 personnel camped at the venue.
- Australia's first ever bicycle race was held at the MCG in 1869.
- The MCG also hosted Victoria's first ever Tennis game in 1878.
By MS Ramakrishnan
