ECB Challenges and Notable Boxing Day Ashes Moments
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is unlikely to commission formal inquiries into the recent Ashes defeat, having largely ceded governance and operations to other bodies. The sale of a 51% stake in The Hundred franchises for £520m has diminished ECB control over England players during the Hundred tournament; notably, players reaching the final will be unable to practice meaningfully with the England team for the first Test against Pakistan, which starts just two days after the final.
Historical reviews have influenced the structure of English cricket, including the 2007 Schofield review which produced 19 recommendations, 17 of which were endorsed. This review led to the creation of a director of cricket and full-time selectors and contributed to England’s 2010-11 Ashes win in Australia. The 2022 Strauss high-performance review proposed cuts to the County Championship and a six-team Division One; however, counties rejected these proposals, limiting their impact on the domestic structure.
England faces the risk of a third Ashes whitewash in six tours. Andrew Strauss has urged deeper structural changes beyond coaching and leadership to address this losing trend. Constitutional reform would require a vote by all 41 ECB members and, although the ECB's revenue powers provide leverage, reforms seem unlikely following the precedent set by the 2017 creation of The Hundred. Counties rejected five options to streamline the domestic schedule, leaving the County Championship at 14 matches. Both the ECB and the Professional Cricketers’ Association are seeking a Sheffield Shield–like structure.
In contrast to the off-field challenges, several memorable Boxing Day Ashes Tests at Melbourne have shaped the rivalry. In 1986, Ian Botham (5-41) and Gladstone Small (5-48) led England to dismiss Australia for 141. England finished day one at 95-1 and won by an innings and 14 runs, with celebrations led by Elton John; Botham later described it as his favourite tour.
The 2006 Boxing Day Test saw Shane Warne claim his 700th Test wicket, that of England captain Andrew Strauss, finishing the day with 702 wickets overall. Other wickets included McGrath taking Mahmood and Harmison falling later, with a crowd of 89,155 witnessing the milestone.
In 2010, Chris Tremlett took four wickets on day one as Australia were bowled out for 98. England replied with 157 without loss and eventually achieved a 513 total and a 415-run lead, leading to England’s first Ashes series triumph in Australia in 24 years.
The 2013 match featured Kevin Pietersen anchoring England with 67 not out, reaching 226-6 in front of 91,092 fans despite a dropped catch at 41. Australia went on to win the match by eight wickets.
Finally, in 2017, Tom Curran overstepped resulting in David Warner's wicket being ruled a no-ball, denying Curran his maiden Test wicket. Australia reached 244-3 with Smith unbeaten on 65. The match ended in a draw, aided by Alastair Cook’s score of 244.
