Melbourne Cricket Ground

Established: 1854
Capacity: 100,000 approx
Floodlights: Yes
Ends: Members End, Great Southern Stand End
Home Team: Victoria
Head Groundsman: Tony Ware
Ashes History: 46 Tests*; 23 Australia wins, 18 England wins, five draws
Ashes 2006-7: Fourth Test, 26-30 Dec

It may be known as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but in truth the MCG is the premier multi-sport venue in Australia.

The 'G, as locals call it, hosted the Olympics in 1956 and the Commonwealth Games 50 years later, and has hosted countless international matches in both rugby codes, football and Aussie-rules.

But the highlight of the Australian sporting calendar is for many the Boxing-Day Test at the MCG, and this is particularly true if the opponents have three lions on their shirts.

At one point the vast bowl had a capacity topping 125,000, but the conversion of virtually all areas of the ground to seating has seen the total drop below six figures.

But with the giant three-tier Great Southern Stand circling almost half the ground and holding nearly 50,000 people, the MCG remains one of the most spectacular and imposing venues in any sport.

The MCG hosted the first three Tests in history, and has gone on to host over 50 Tests between cricket's oldest foes.

The Melbourne surface traditionally stays true with even bounce, allowing for a fair contest between bat and ball

One of England's most memorable games at the MCG, though, was in the one-day format when they lost the 1992 World Cup final to Pakistan in an epic encounter.

The ground was evacuated in August 2006 when a fire broke out in a stand under construction, causing minor damage to the roof and an area of seating.

Four years ago, Justin Langer's 250 set Australia on their way to their fourth win out of four in 2002/3 Ashes series. As often seemed the case, Michael Vaughan was the man to lead England's fightback, but his 145 - and a much-improved second-innings bowling display - was not enough to prevent Australia winning by five wickets.

*MCG also hosted five Tests between Australia and England before The Ashes were instigated (two Australia wins, one England win and two draws) as well as the Centenary Test in 1976/7, won by Australia.