History | Bunbury Mail

The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is a celebration of cricket and of Melbourne – a day of bruising cricket, world-record crowds, old friends catching up and parents taking their children to the summer rite of passage. Like the AFL grand final and Melbourne Cup, it is a part of the soul of the city. It is little wonder that it was a Boxing Day Test that saw the Swami Army surge onto the cricket scene. The Swami Army website crashed during the 2011 Boxing Day Test between India and Australia because so many supporters were trying to join the Indian supporter group. "It is always special when India comes down and Boxing Day has that added spice to it," Swami Army organiser Kartik Ayyalasomayajula said. "The MCG, there is nothing quite like it, there is no other ground in the worl–d that gives you that atmosphere," he said. "The adrenalin kicks in." He said the attitude from Indian supporters was make as much noise as possible and have a great time. "We have drummers, there and lots of sing songs and chants, we have a good time and a few beers as well and really enjoy the day," Mr Ayyalasomayajula said. "It is like a carnival atmosphere." The 26-year-old project manager from Melbourne is upbeat about India's chances and happy with the fight shown in the first two Tests. "I think we have got a pretty good shot ... I think we have been in both games.I wouldn't be surprised if India gets the win," he said. Hundreds are expected to fly in to join the Swami Army from interstate and overseas. Sydney-based supporter and Swami Army organiser Amit Grover said there were about 5000 members of the Swami Army and there were eight bays booked at the MCG specifically for Indian supporters. "We were down at the Boxing Day Test three years ago and that was the first day of the first Test – it is an absolutely amazing atmosphere and the Swami Army really took off after that first day," he said. He said India was playing exciting, aggressive cricket. "We have seen nine fantastic days of Test match cricket in this series and either Test match could have gone either way," he said. "We have always said we need Indians to take cricket like Australians because the Australian way of cricket is what gets you wins on the board." Mr Grover said he enjoyed the variety of people who attend Boxing Day. "Boxing Day puts on that atmosphere where you will take the family along – those who probably won't sit through the five days of a Test match," he said. Shane Brown from the MCC said they were expecting a crowd of between 60,000 and 70,000 for Boxing Day. This year's game comes off the record crowd for the Ashes Boxing Day last year. "We broke the world record last year for a single day of Test cricket, which was 91,112," Mr Brown said. The weather outlook for Boxing Day is partly cloudy with medium chance of a shower in the morning and a top temperature of 20. The temperature then climbs each day, reaching 31 on Monday. Mr Brown said with the first three days of the game on a public holiday and weekend, and warm weather forecast, they were expecting strong crowds for the Test. During the Brisbane Test several Indian players for one meal chose not to eat the food provided and ate outside the ground. Mr Brown said he was not expecting any issue with the food for players. "We are pretty well practiced at catering for the Indian team over many years and we are not expecting any problems," he said.

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