1878-1879 Only Test. Goodbye Charles

1878-1879 Only Test England in Australia

This is the only test of the year and our hero of the last series, Charles Bannerman’s last ever game. And Let’s just say Bannerman had a came he cant forget. But the hero was Fred “The Demon” Spofforth (as he always is what a bowler). Ripping through The English Fred took 13 for the match including a 6 wicket grab and a 7-wicket performance in the two innings. The English were just out classed. In the first innings skipper Lord Harris of England batted with class scoring 30 as his entire team collapsed around him, until the number 9 Charlie Absolom scored a defiant 50 against Spofforth’s charge. Australia’s batters returned to form responding with 256 which at the time was a mammoth score. But how batting hero wasn’t Charles Bannerman no it was his brother Alec’s 73 one of his many 50s over a long career (Trust me you’ll see this bloke a lot in my posts). England had a slightly better second innings again led by Lord Harris but was only able to give his side an 18-run lead an easy task for the Australians. And Bannerman went swinging scoring 15 in just 10 minutes to give Australia a quick win on day 3. 10 wicket win for the Aussies and great farewell to our early hero in Charles Bannerman.

51years later Bannerman (right) meets Don Bradman:

The game itself was admittingly one sided however the great performances from both Bannerman’s, Spofforth and even losing skipper Lord Harris made this game memorable and it helps that it was Charle’s last game.

Alex’s Rating: 6.5/10