The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium (MCG) has turned into a statistical embarrassment for Australia, with the hosts registering one of their worst collective batting performances in more than a century of Test cricket. On a pitch that proved brutally difficult for batting, Australia managed scores of just 152 and 132 against England, producing their third-lowest match aggregate since 2000.

Across the two innings, Australia batted for just 79.5 overs, the fewest they have faced in a Test match since 1928 and the third-lowest in terms of balls faced since 1900. The numbers underline how thoroughly the surface exposed batting frailties in a match that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons from an Australian perspective.

Australia face just 479 balls against England in Boxing Day Test

Australia were dismissed having faced only 479 deliveries across both innings, a remarkable statistic given the venue and occasion. The hosts batted for 45.2 overs in the first innings and 34.3 overs in the second, offering little resistance as wickets fell in clusters.

Notably, the only time Australia have faced fewer balls in a Test match at the MCG came all the way back in 1904, also against England. That historic collapse saw Australia survive just 360 balls, and now – 121 years later – history has repeated itself at the same ground.

While Australia’s batting struggles will draw scrutiny, the pitch itself has become a major talking point. From early movement to unpredictable bounce, the surface offered minimal respite for batters, turning the contest into a survival test rather than a conventional Boxing Day spectacle.

The inability of Australia’s line-up to adapt, however, amplified the damage. Against a disciplined bowling attack, mistakes were ruthlessly punished, leaving the hosts unable to build partnerships or settle at the crease.

The last time Australia faced fewer deliveries in a Test match came in 1928 at The Gabba, when they lasted just 457 balls across two innings. That collapse has long stood as a benchmark of batting failure, but the 2025 Boxing Day Test now sits alarmingly close in the record books.

The figures place the MCG match among Australia’s worst since the early 20th century, a sobering comparison for a team accustomed to dominance at home.

Also READ: Australian Cricket Awards 2026 – Will the event be scrapped? Here’s everything we know

Least balls faced by Australia in a Test match since 1900

• 360 balls vs England, Melbourne Cricket Stadium, 1904
• 457 balls vs England, The Gabba, 1928
• 464 balls vs England, The Oval, 1912
• 479 balls vs England, Melbourne Cricket Stadium, 2025
• 499 balls vs West Indies, Queen’s Park Oval, 1995

The recurrence of England in four of the five entries further adds to the historical sting for Australian fans.

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NOIDA: A class 10 student died by suicide on Dec 23, allegedly hours after she was pulled up by her teachers at a private Greater Noida West school for using AI on her mobile phone to write her pre-Board exam papers. The girl’s father submitted a police complaint Thursday seeking an FIR against the school, accusing them of abetment to suicide. Hauled up for using AI during exam, girl dies by suicide, father accuses school of abetment While police are examining allegations before registering an FIR, the principal told TOI that the student, though reprimanded, was not harassed and told that cheating in the board exam could earn her a five-year suspension from writing the test. According to the minor’s father, the 16-year-old allegedly jumped from her eight-floor flat early on Dec 23. He alleged that his daughter was deeply distressed after she was scolded and humiliated by teachers for bringing her phone to the exam hall on Dec 22. In his complaint, the father said he has three daughters, all of whom study at the same school. He alleged that his eldest daughter had “unknowingly” carried her mobile phone to school on the day of the exam. She was caught by the invigilator, who reprimanded her and informed her class teacher. The student was then taken to the principal. The principal called the girl’s parents to the school, and her father arrived shortly afterwards. He alleged that even in his presence, the teachers and principal continued to scold and insult the student aggressively. He also claimed that he was called “careless” by the teachers. The father claimed his daughter was shaken by the incident and that the harsh words used by her teachers had a severe psychological impact. He named the child’s class teacher, Poonam Dubey, another teacher, Taapas, and the school management in his complaint, accusing them of pushing his daughter towards taking an extreme step. He has urged police to register a case under BNS Section 108 (abetment of suicide), and other relevant provisions. He claimed the incident had left his other two daughters traumatised and fearful of returning to the school. The school has strongly denied the allegations. The principal told TOI over the phone that the student was not harassed and that the school followed standard protocol prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education. “The girl was found with a mobile phone during the pre-board examinations. When the invigilator checked the device, it appeared that she had been using AI to get answers. The phone was confiscated, and she was brought to the examination head, who then brought her to me,” the principal said. She said she had informed the student that using such methods during the CBSE board examinations could lead to a ban of up to five years from appearing in the exams. “That is the rule, and the child was only told about the consequences,” she said. According to the principal, the student’s parents were informed immediately and reached the school within 10 to 15 minutes, as they lived nearby. She said the interaction took place at the reception area and was brief.

The five-match series against India earlier this year ended in a 2-2 draw, marking Shubman Gill’s first assignment as Test captain. (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Batting legend Alastair Cook said England’s 2-2 home Test series draw against Shubman Gill-led India came against “not a great Indian side”, raising concerns over the team’s preparation for the Ashes, in which they are currently trailing 0-3.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The five-match series against India earlier this year ended level, marking Gill’s first assignment as Test captain. The young batter enjoyed a prolific campaign, scoring 754 runs with four centuries.

Cook, however, felt England’s recent performances had papered over deeper issues, giving a false sense of progress.“They started off with a bang, Key, McCullum and Stokes. I think McCullum won his first eight out of 10 games or something the first year. Since then it’s gone downhill,” Cook said on the opening day of the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.“This year I think their percentage of win is like just above 30 percent so it’s a bit of a downward trend.“…I like Rob Key, I like McCullum, I like how they think but I do think they’ve, this last little bit, they have taken our eye off the ball for the bigger series.”Referring to the India series, Cook added, “… they were talking about India, they lost, they drew India and India just got thumped by South Africa. So that Indian side wasn’t a great Indian side either.“So actually it’s a reality, it’s just hit this England Test team and now they’re going to decide how they want to play with what players afterwards.”England have suffered defeats in the first three Tests of the Ashes against Australia, losing by eight wickets in Perth and Brisbane and by 82 runs in Adelaide.

NEW DELHI: BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Friday criticised the Congress for opposing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgaar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM-G), alleging that the party’s objection stemmed from discomfort with the word “Ram” in the legislation’s name.Speaking to reporters, Thakur took a swipe at the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, describing it as an electorally weakened party and predicting further setbacks.“…The Congress party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi will soon score a century of defeats in 2026,” he said.Responding to the opposition’s criticism over the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the revamped rural employment law, Thakur questioned Congress’s record on naming employment schemes.“…In 1989, it was named ‘Jawahar Rozgar Yojana’, in 1999 it was named ‘Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana’, and in 2001 it was named ‘Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana’, and then again in 2004, under the UPA government, the scheme was named ‘NREGA’, and finally in 2009, it was named ‘MGNREGA’. I ask the Congress, did they only remember Mahatma Gandhi in 2009?…” Thakur said.He further accused the Congress of politicising Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, claiming that Gandhi had himself asked for the dissolution of the Congress after Independence.Highlighting provisions of the new law, Thakur said the VB-G RAM-G offers enhanced benefits compared to MGNREGA, including an increase in guaranteed employment days and higher funding.“The poor and needy people in the country will now get the opportunity to work for 125 days instead of 100 days. The daily wages will be increased in this bill. Congress’s budget for MGNREGA was Rs 30,000 crore, which the Modi government has increased to Rs 1 lakh 11 thousand crore annually. To prevent fraudulent activities, as observed in the Congress reign, geotagging and bank account creation have been done…” he added.The Hamirpur MP also accused the Congress of opposing references to Lord Ram, citing its criticism of the Ram Mandir, Ram Setu and related controversies, and said Sanatan Dharma was deeply rooted across the country.“Congress only has issues with the name of Ram. The opposition only wants to insult devotees of Ram. They open fired on Ram bhakts, opposed Ram temple, to date haven’t visited Ram temple, opposed Ram Setu. Even when the Ram temple events were underway, TN CM closed the doors of state temples and the devotees had to go to courts. Right now DMK-Congress government in TN even after the Madurai court judgement has gone against the order and has escalated Deepam row. Can Congress stay alive in India by abusing Sanatan, Congress is mistaken, Mughal came and went, Brits came and went back, Sanatan has stayed and will always stay,”Earlier in the day, Thakur attended the Harballah Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar, where he spoke about the importance of preserving India’s musical traditions.The VB-G RAM-G Bill was passed by Parliament on December 18 and received the President’s assent on December 21. The law guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work.Under Section 22, the Centre and states will share funding in a 60:40 ratio, while North-Eastern states, Himalayan states and Union Territories including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir will follow a 90:10 pattern. Section 6 allows states to notify up to 60 days in a financial year during peak agricultural seasons.

MUMBAI: IndiGo issued a travel advisory on Saturday after a temporary malfunction in the baggage belt system at Mumbai’s Terminal 2, cautioning passengers about possible delays at check-in counters and during baggage collection. The airline said its ground teams are working closely with airport authorities to fix the issue at the earliest and reduce inconvenience to travellers, according to news agency ANI. In a post on X, IndiGo apologised for the disruption and assured passengers of on-ground assistance. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience this may cause and understand how it can impact your plans. Our teams are on-site, working swiftly with airport partners to expedite the resolution and support customers throughout the process,” the airline said, thanking passengers for their patience. This comes days after IndiGo issued another advisory warning of flight disruptions due to dense fog and low visibility conditions over Bengaluru. The airline said weather-related factors had affected flight schedules and that it was closely monitoring the situation to ensure safe operations. “Low visibility and fog over #Bangalore has impacted flight schedules. We’re keeping a close watch on the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly,” the advisory stated. Passengers were advised to regularly check their flight status through official IndiGo channels, with the airline assuring full support at airports. Earlier this week, IndiGo had said its operations remain stable ahead of the busy holiday season, with the airline carrying more than one million passengers every three days. In a statement, IndiGo said it has been operating between 2,100 and 2,200 flights daily across its network of 138 destinations, while maintaining its on-time performance standards. Looking ahead, the airline also announced plans to induct India’s first Airbus A321XLR aircraft, which is expected to strengthen its medium- and long-haul operations. According to IndiGo, the aircraft will be deployed on international routes, including direct services from Delhi and Mumbai to Athens, scheduled to begin on January 23, 2026.

From December 26, mandatory biometric checking of all non-US citizens, including Green Card holders, at border points comes into effect. This means their photographs would be taken by US Customs and Border Protection officials at every entry and exit point across airports, land crossings and seaports. This new rule is applicable to all non-US citizens entering or exiting the country. Children below 14 years and adults over 79 years are also included. This is not entirely new. Biometric collection at exit for the US was limited to pilot programs at select ports. Now this is mandatory.

The CBP may also decide to collect fingerprints and iris scans and match them against existing travel documents as part of the Traveler Verification Service.

Will diplomats too have to give their biometrics?

The CBP confirmed that the diplomats are not exempt from the program. They will also have to give their biometrics. Previous regulations allowed diplomats to bypass certain biometric collections; however, the new mandate explicitly removes this exemption, requiring them to provide biometrics upon both entry and exit.

Will Canadians have to submit their biometrics?

Yes, Canadians too are not exempt from the new rule. The new rules are applicable to all non-US travellers even those who are traveling on private aircraft or crossing the border on foot.The rule applies to almost all non-U.S. citizens, including Green Card holders who are the lawful permanent residents and Canadian visitors who were previously exempt from certain requirements.

Are US citizens exempt from the new rule?

Yes, the biometric collection is not meant for US citizens but the CBP said that US citizens, if they want, can voluntarily participate in the facial biometrics process at entry and exit. U.S. citizens who prefer to opt out of the facial biometrics process may simply notify a CBP officer or airline representative and undergo manual inspection of their passport, as required for international travel. CBP said it discards US citizens’ photos within 12 hours of the identity verification process and enrolls noncitizens in the DHS Biometric Identity Management System, which retains the photos for up to 75 years.

Silver price jumped nearly 9% to trade at a record high of $78.65, on Friday (local time) according to the New York Commodity Exchange. With this surge, the white metal has outpaced gold this year, with prices up more than 158% over the past 12 months. The rally extended across the broader metals market. Spot gold climbed to an all-time high of $4,549.71 an ounce, while platinum touched a record $2,454.12 after gaining around 10%, according to Reuters. Spot palladium also recorded the sharpest move of the session, rising more than 14% to $1,924.03 an ounce. Gold, meanwhile, edged up just over 1.2% to reach a high of $4,562.70.

Precious metals soar – What’s behind the rally?

Silver rose on the back of tight supply, rising industrial demand and expectations of more rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Analysts have also pointed to a mix of lower interest rates, growing use of silver in AI data centres, supply constraints and uncertainty around tariffs as key drivers behind the white metal’s surge this year.“Prospect of lower US interest rates is still supporting demand for gold and silver, lifting both metals to new record highs,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo told Reuters. In early trading, silver crossed the $75-per-ounce level for the first time, as both precious and industrial metals rallied amid economic and political uncertainty.Gold is on course for its strongest annual performance since 1979, supported by Federal Reserve policy easing, geopolitical risks, central bank buying, higher ETF holdings and ongoing de-dollarisation. Silver has benefited from structural supply deficits, its designation as a US critical mineral and strong industrial demand, far outpacing gold’s nearly 72% rise.Platinum and palladium, widely used in automotive catalytic converters, have also advanced sharply amid tight supply conditions, tariff uncertainty and a shift in investment demand away from gold. Platinum has gained about 165% this year, while palladium is up more than 90% year to date.“Momentum-driven and speculative players have been powering the rally in gold and silver since early December, with thin year-end liquidity, expectations of prolonged US rate cuts, a weaker dollar and a flare-up in geopolitical risks combining to push precious metals to fresh record highs,” Kelvin Wong, senior market analyst at OANDA, told Reuters.“Looking ahead into the first half of 2026, gold could move towards the $5,000 level, while silver has the potential to reach around $90,” Wong further said.Traders are currently pricing in two US rate cuts next year, a support that continues to lift non-yielding assets such as gold and silver. At the same time, market sentiment has also been influenced by geopolitical developments, including US moves related to Venezuelan oil and strikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria following attacks on Christian communities.

Hobart Hurricanes strengthened their BBL|15 title defence with a tense four-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers in Perth on Friday, but celebrations were tempered by a worrying hamstring injury to star finisher Tim David.

The win lifted Hobart to a 3-1 record early in the season and kept them firmly in the playoff mix, yet David’s injury threatens to become a significant subplot as the tournament progresses.

Perth Scorchers post modest total of 150/8

Batting first, the Scorchers struggled to build sustained momentum and finished on 150 for 8. Opener Finn Allen top-scored with a brisk 43, providing early impetus before wickets stalled the innings.

Hobart’s bowling effort was led by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who returned impressive figures of 3 for 33, breaking partnerships and preventing the hosts from accelerating at the death. Despite a competitive surface, Perth never fully capitalised, leaving the Hurricanes a chaseable target.

Hobart Hurricanes stumble early before Tim David and Nikhil Chaudhary rescue act

Hobart’s reply began shakily as they slipped to 39 for 3, handing early belief to the Scorchers. The match swung decisively, however, when Tim David joined Nikhil Chaudhary at the crease.

Batting at No.5, David unleashed his trademark power, smashing 42 off 28 balls with three fours and two sixes. Chaudhary played the ideal foil, contributing 34 off 30 as the pair added a crucial 63-run partnership that dragged the Hurricanes back into control.

Tim David forced to retire hurt

The turning point came in the 15th over, when Tim David “pinged” his right hamstring while attempting a quick single. He immediately limped and was forced to retire hurt on 42, with Hobart at 103 for 4.

The sight of David hobbling off sent a hush through the Hurricanes camp. Post-match, the finisher described the injury as feeling “a little bit of something,” adding that scans and further assessment would determine the severity. Importantly, there has been no official ruling out of the tournament at this stage.

Mac Wright and Chris Jordan close out tense chase for Hobart

Despite losing their key finisher, Hobart showed composure in the closing stages. Macalister Wright played a decisive unbeaten knock of 22 off 13 balls, while Chris Jordan chipped in with 15 off 11, steering the Hurricanes to 153 for 6 with three balls to spare.

The calm finish under pressure underlined Hobart’s depth and resilience – qualities that have defined their title defence so far.

Also READ: Sam Harper’s explosive ton powers Melbourne Stars to a dominant win over Sydney Sixers in BBL|15

David’s injury casts shadow over Hurricanes’ BBL campaign

David’s injury is viewed as a potential major blow to Hobart’s middle-order firepower. With the BBL final scheduled for January 25, the explosive all-rounder has only a short recovery window if the strain proves serious.

The concern extends beyond the Hurricanes. Australian selectors are closely monitoring the situation, with David a key finishing option ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka in February.

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