The current Boxing Day Test between India and Australia has smashed the attendance record in games played in the longer format at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The game, which started yesterday, surpassed the record established in 1936/37 when Australia played England in a six-day game.
Currently, 51,371 followers have arrived at the MCG for day five's action, and more will make their way into the ground to witness a thrilling finish to this game of twists and turns.
It has catapulted the game in progress past the all-time record for this ground of 350,534 spectators during the 1936/37 Ashes series against England when Donald Bradman had 270.
As per Cricket Australia (CA), with more than 351,104 fans in attendance for five days, the game has also entered record books as the highest-attended Test match ever in Australia. “We’ve officially surpassed the attendance record set in 1936/37 when Australia faced England — a Test which spanned six days,” said the MCG through its ‘X’ account on Monday.
"Thanks, Melbourne. An Australian cricketing record, an MCG record and history made," Cricket Australia said on its 'X' account. Such has been the rush of fans coming into the MCG for witnessing day five's play that the stadium staff have been scrambling around to make more arrangements around security, as well as food and beverage supplies, with all sections of the stadium open to accommodate spectators.
The attendance figure for opening day of the ongoing Boxing Day Test stood at 87,242, which became a new record for the highest single match-day attendance in a Test match between the two teams.
Day three's play on Saturday attracted 83,073 fans, which set a new record for spectator attendance on the moving day of a Boxing Day Test match.
A massive contingent of Indian fans has been the record-breaking spectator attendance at the Boxing Day Test. This brings in a carnival-like atmosphere at the MCG, while the previous-best record for overall attendance in a Boxing Day Test was 271,865 during the 2013/14 Ashes.
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