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UPDATES with final attendance

Monday’s blockbuster clash against India became the best-attended Test in Australia’s history as fans flocked to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the final day.

The fifth day of the fourth Test attracted a record crowd of 74,362 spectators, taking the total number of spectators since the start of the game on Boxing Day to 373,691.

This surpassed the previous record of 350,534 at the same ground during the 1936-37 Ashes series against England, when Donald Bradman dominated the sport and Tests were played over six days.

“Thank you, Melbourne. An Australian cricket record, an MCG record and history made,” tweeted Cricket Australia.

As far as Boxing Day Tests are concerned, the previous record was 271,865 during the 2013-14 Ashes.

“I think what’s special about this series is the huge number of Indian fans, not just from India but from around the world,” Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley told reporters during the Test.

“I met fans from the UK, Canada and the US.

“Obviously it’s a fantastic time of year, but it speaks to the fact that MCG has almost taken on this spiritual place in cricket folklore.”