First hour of first day at MCG crucial to winning Boxing Day Ashes Test: Clarke

MELBOURNE - Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke reckons that the first hour of first day’s play at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is crucial to winning the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes series against England.

Australia got back into the five-match series with a win in last week’s third Test at Perth’s WACA Ground to square it at 1-1.

“The Boxing Day Test is always very special because the guys have their families, it’s a great time of the year,” Fox Sports quoted Clarke, as saying.

“Everyone is pretty excited and probably a bit more excited after winning in Perth as well.”

“The first hour of the first day is crucial for us. We’ve seen that throughout this Test series so far. We need to be ready and switched on,” he added.

Australia and England had their final hit-outs at the MCG nets today morning ahead of the crucial Test starting on Sunday. (ANI)