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For many sports fans, the essence of the festive season does not materialise under a plastic tree tightly wrapped in red and green, or even with a roast beneath a thick honey glaze on Christmas afternoon.
For these sports fans, Christmas comes on Boxing Day, when we are all given the gift we truly want: the Boxing Day Test.
And like many Boxing Days before, this year I sprung out of bed in a similar fashion to millions of children the previous morning (albeit at a slightly more reasonable hour), all ready for a big day of cricket.
However, this year, disappointment soon soured my mood as I realised my Boxing Day gift was not the model I had been wishing for.
What I really wanted was South Africa, but got Sri Lanka instead.
This is not to say there is no enjoyment or benefit to be had from what looks set to be a comfortably won series for Australia – wins build confidence and are good for the team.
But facing Sri Lanka after having the quality of South Africa dangled before us generates a bitterness that the series had to end after just three matches.
It is, of course, critical heading into 2013 that Australia both build confidence and have their abilities truly tested. As it currently stands, this series against Sri Lanka will only be good for achieving the former.
Leading into vital series’ that will take place throughout 2013 – which will undoubtedly be incredibly challenging – a five-match series against South Africa would have provided the best preparation, and a clearer indication of where Australia stands when faced with quality opposition.
As well, it seems unlikely that South Africa would not have preferred playing out a five-match series. Instead of playing a Boxing Day test in front of 67,000 (or probably more), they played a T20 against New Zealand in front of 13,800.
Of course, it is important to maintain a balance in Test opposition, especially since the cricketing calendar has been stretched even further with the introduction and explosion of the T20 format – finding this balance understandably means that we may see more three-match Test series.
However, when there is quality opposition making the trip to Australia, those who schedule the summer should be focused on ensuring a five-match Test series occurs.
Win, lose, or draw, the result of completing a proper battle with the number one Test side would have been incredibly constructive in Australia’s quest to realistically challenge for the Ashes in 2013.
With the summer nearing its conclusion, I have arrived at the steadfast realisation that I would have preferred to see Australia lose in five to South Africa, than split the summer with a win against Sri Lanka.
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