sports
December 25, 2025
Five big Boxing Day Ashes Tests: Botham, Pietersen and Warne
Opening salvos before a huge MCG crowd are often among the most memorable meetings between Australia and England – here are five crackers

TL;DR
- The article details five significant opening days of Ashes Tests at the MCG.
- Key moments include Tom Curran's overturned wicket of David Warner in 2017, Kevin Pietersen's resilience in 2013 despite fielding errors, Chris Tremlett's impactful bowling in 2010 leading to an English victory, Shane Warne's 700th wicket in 2006, and Ian Botham's dominant all-round performance in 1986 that secured the Ashes for England.
- These instances emphasize the dramatic and often unpredictable nature of Ashes cricket, particularly at the iconic MCG venue.
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