Looking back at the 1981 Boxing Day Test

I was there. The match finished at 6pm. About 6.30 Lillie came out on the balcony to wave to an estimated crowd of 10000 still there. At nearly 7 pm police asked us all to leave so cleaners could do their work.

My first ever test match to see the great West Indies quicks rip through Australia followed by the roar and chanting for the great DK Lillee coming into bowl from the Southern end - still gives me chills today

Seem to recall one Vivian 'Smokin' Joe' Richards tame a two-pronged pace attack consisting of Messieurs DK & Thommo at the MCG, but Thommo didn't feature in this one... http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17023/scorecard/63304/australia-vs-west-indies-1st-test-west-indies-tour-of-australia-1981-82 My uncle witnessed it, and I definitely heard it [on radio], so it must've happened. :(

Fantastic memories, watching Michael Holding in full flight aesthetically one of the finest things I've seen on a cricket field, glued to the bottom of my TV screen as this graceful athlete at the peak of his career destroyed our top order!! We all know the bravery of Kim Hughes ton, inspired by a family tragedy the week before, handy cameos from Marsh, Yardley and Alderman. And that last half hour!! Surely as unforgettable as any session in past 30 years. Clive Lloyd's look of bewilderment as the departing Richards trudges off to the pavilion an image that has stayed with me till this day!!

That West Indies bowling attack could be the best seen in this country-Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner & Colin Croft. Interesting to note that Jeffey Dujon made his Test debut that day (although he didn't do the wicketkeeping-that came later in his career).

My greatest memory of the day is Kim Hughes driving the West Indian quicks through the covers. Was there ever a better sight in Test cricket than Hughes driving down on his right knee. When last man in Terry Alderman came to the crease Hughes was 71. The roars of encouragement for him to go for the ton were unbelievable. If Kim Hughes' first objective was to provide entertainment then he certainly succeeded that day. No wonder Ian Chappell has described it as the greatest postwar Australian knock An unforgettable day at the MCG.

I remember to this day.The look on Dennis Lillee's face, when he bowled Vivian Richards with the last ball of the day. Kim Hughes finest hour,what an innings!!!! Then the test bowling record to Lillee. A magic day of cricket.!!!!!

The record books don't show it but if anyone ever has any doubt about how good a batsman Kim Hughes was I suggest watching a video of this innings. Throw in the Lords Centenary Test of 1980 and that's three of the best innings any player could hope to play. A pity he didn't do it more often - but I'd be happy to have him around today.

Almost certainly the greatest single day of Test cricket ever given the drama, the size of the crowd and the quality of players on show.

Fantastic memories as a 9 year old fan from the middle of Bay 13 (2nd level of the old Southern Stand) on Boxing Day 1981: Arrived during 2nd hour of 1st session and Aust were 4/stuff-all, soon 5-for with Wellham gone; Lunch session saw an ice-fight of Biblical proportions, typical of the era b4 alcohol restrictions and Eskies were the norm; Marsh and Yardley trying to throw the bat during the afternoon session; A "streaker" wearing a weird black & white skeleton suit entering the centre wicket area shortly after tea; Kim Hughes "playing by numbers" and using his unbelievable instincts to hit a boundary-single sequence in the last 3 balls of each over while batting with the tail; Hughes' courage & skill; Alderman's unbelievable courage; The crowd chant of "Kill, Kill, Kill" as Lillee bowled the final over, followed by utter pandemonium, lasting probably 10 minutes; Leaving the ground at least 30 minutes after the final ball, with at least 20,000 still at their seats, re-living the drama. Final thing: shame on Ch 9 / PBL Marketing for discarding the footage of probably the most dramatic & sensational innings by an Australian in Test cricket over the past 30+ years. Packer & co never forgave Kim Hughes over his stance on WSC.

If you get a chance to watch the game on video or DVD, take note of how bad the MCG pitch was in those days, compared to the excellent pitches they have now. So bad was it, that skipper Greg Chappell threatend to call the team off the field during a ODI match in the 1980-81 season in protest about the state of the pitch. Which made Kim Hughes century against the West Indies on Boxing Day 1981 all the more remarkable. After all, Australia at one point were 4/25.

great test match, great players from both teams, great game saving hundred by hughes, australia where rocked by the west indies early in the first innings if u get the chance to watch the game great game to watch

Thanks Jason, Great memories. I recall seeing it all on TV, back in the days when I watched most sessions of most tests.....

The heart hopes so Tony but the head thinks otherwise.

Here's how Richie Benaud described Dennis Lillee breaking the wicket taking record: 'Greg Chappell has got it! That is the record, the wicket taking Test match record! What a performance from the great fast bowler.' And also Tony Greig calling the last ball of the day: 'He's bowled him! Lillee bowled Richards out on the last ball of the day! Well what a magnificent start for Australia, the West Indies 4/10.'

I watched parts of the first day on TV at a post Xmas BBQ. A mate and I then drove up the North Coast the next day, arriving in Grafton in time to see Lillee break the wicket-taking record. Funny thing is, I saw this on ABC TV, and the camera view was from behind the wicket-keeper, while the Nine coverage, repeated often ever since, is from behind the bowler. I do recall Richie Benaud went nuts when Lillee got the wicket, which was so unusual given his quiet commentary demeanour.

Joe, A friend of mine who was at the match says that the crowd were still chanting "Lillee! Lillee!" half an hour after stumps. Will this year's Boxing Day crowd be chanting "Mitchy! Mitchy!" half an hour after stumps?

If my memory serves me right Jason Lillee's final delivery was a full toss that Richard's, in taking a big swing, edged onto his stumps. The noise from the raucous crowd was unbelievable.

I remember I don't remember it. Up in the Pilbara there was a TV blackout for a couple of seasons from the end of WSC until Nine & the ABC worked out a sharing arrangement for telecasting Test cricket outside of Nine's braodcast areas.