The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is one of the biggest cricket grounds in the world. The Australian crowd fills the stands with this stadium in numbers and this can sometimes intimidate the opposition teams.
However, sometimes this very ground has proved to be a happy hunting ground for some visiting teams. Here we have a look at five international teams with most Test wins at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
1. England – 20
The rivalry between England and Australia has always been fierce ever since the first-ever Test match played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1877. Although Australia won that Test match, MCG has been a happy hunting ground for England. The Three Lions haven’t had that much success Down Under in the Ashes, but they have more often than not managed to compete well while playing at the MCG.
England holds the record for the most number of wins at the MCG with 20 to their name. No other team has even reached double digits at the MCG, which just shows what rich history the England team have had at this ground.
2. India – 4
India recently completed their 4th win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as they ended up beating Australia by 8 wickets. This became India’s fourth win at the MCG making them the second most successful team at the venue. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane led from the front with a fantastic hundred.
India had also won in the Boxing Day Test of 2018 when Cheteshwar Pujara had slammed a ton and Jasprit Bumrah was relentless with his mind-blowing seam bowling. The Men in Blue also had two more wins in 1977-78 by 222 runs and in 1981 by 59 runs at the iconic MCG, making it one of their most favourite away venues.
3. West Indies – 3
The West Indies team were rampant in the 1980s, and we’re dominant against Australia too in their own den. They registered their first win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1979-80 by 10 wickets when Sir Vivian Richards was at the peak of his prowess. Their second win came just a year later in 1981 when they thrashed the hosts by 408 runs.
It took seven more years for the men from the Caribbean to win again at the MCG as they beat Australia by 285 runs. Since then, West Indies have failed to have an impact Down Under and are still finding it difficult to compete. But the legacy left by the dominant West Indies team of the 80s still lives on.
4. South Africa – 3
South Africa too have had decent success at the MCG Down Under. They won two tests at the MCG within a span of two months between 1952 and 1953 by 82 runs and six wickets respectively. However, it took a long time for the Proteas to get their next win against the Aussies at the MCG.
In 2008, a South African team led by Graeme Smith challenged the Australian team to the limit and beat them at the MCG by nine wickets. Dale Steyn was the star of the game as he picked up 10 wickets in the Test and put the Proteas in a dominant position.
5. Pakistan – 2
Pakistan team have been inconsistent of late as far as performing in away Tests are concerned. However, there was a time in the late 1970s and early 80s where they had a decent success Down Under and that too at the MCG.
In 1979, Sarfraz Nawaz picked up nine wickets in the second innings as Pakistan beat Australia by 71 runs. In 1981, Pakistan dominated the Aussies in such a way that they were able to inflict an innings defeat on the hosts. Imran Khan’s all-round efforts along with Iqbal Qasim’s brilliant bowling saw Pakistan beat Australia by an innings and 82 runs. These two victories at the MCG make them the fourth more successful visiting team at this venue.
