Australia’s winning moment in Boxing Day Test named Wisden Photograph of the Year

Cliff Notes – Australia’s winning moment in Boxing Day Test named Wisden Photograph of the Year

• Quinn Rooney’s photograph captures Nathan Lyon and his teammates appealing for an lbw decision during Australia’s 184-run victory over India in the Boxing Day Test.
• The image has been recognised as the Wisden Photograph of the Year, with expert Patrick Eagar praising its timing and composition.
• The shortlisted entries, including this winning photograph, will be featured in the 2025 edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack and displayed at the Kia Oval for a year.

Australia’s winning moment in Boxing Day Test named Wisden Photograph of the Year

A photograph of Australia’s winning moment in their epic Boxing Day Test victory over India in December has been named as the Wisden Photograph of the Year.

Quinn Rooney captured his image of Nathan Lyon – and almost all his Australian colleagues – appealing for Ibw against India’s Mohammed Siraj, as Australia won the fourth Test by 184 runs, to go 2-1 up in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Rooney has been a professional cricket photographer since 2005 – working for Getty Images for the past 19 years, and covering more than 40 Australian Tests.

“Nathan Lyon was bowling the 80th over to a packed field,” Rooney said. “I knew the new ball was likely to be taken for the next, so I was praying for a wicket before the fielders retreated further from the bat. Luckily, the whole team turned and appealed for the lbw — which won them the match.”

Patrick Eagar, the acclaimed photographer, who was on the expert panel of judges, said: “The Royal Ballet could hardly do better. The Aussie ensemble is impeccable, probably to a chorus of Howzaat! The photographer has done brilliantly, timing being such an important part in achieving this sort of shot. The composition takes a bit of beating too. A worthy winner.”

The ten short-listed entries (plus three from the amateur competition, which was won by Rajan Topiwala) will feature in the 2025 edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, published on April 24, and will be on display at the Kia Oval for 12 months.