Steve Smith’s side have taken back the urn from England but no one will dare ease off in front of 100,000 fans at the MCG on Boxing Day
There is no such thing as a dead-rubber Ashes Test match. You are representing your country and whether you are an Australian cricketer or a touring Englishman, the prospect of playing in front of nearly 100,000 fans at the MCG on Boxing Day is reason enough to remember this.
Christmas Day might seem a strange thing for a professional cricketer to enjoy with a match looming but it really can be a pretty special time and a welcome distraction in the buildup. During my career we would have lunch at the Crown Casino in Melbourne with the families, hold a Secret Santa among the squad and the man himself would also turn for up the children.
Related: Australia’s Tim Paine in doubt for Boxing Day Test due to family illness
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