1884 Ashes Australia in England
The Ashes 1884 Australia in England
The Australians had lost the Ashes on home soil they now travel to England the place where the ashes begun 2 years ago of the back of possibly the greatest test bowling given the circumstances by Spofforth. As usual Australia was captained by 19th century hero Billy Murdoch who batted after openers Percy McDonnell and veteran Alec Bannerman. The Aussie Middle Order was Giffen and Midwinter two crafty allrounders with bat and ball. They were followed by Keeper Jack Blackham and Tip Scott and lastly the bowling line up one of the fiercest of the 19th century. Joey Palmer, Fred Spofforth and Harry Boyle those 3 names have a combined 204 wickets considering not much test cricket was played back then this total is very impressive. England were lead by Monkey Hornby as the skipper and the old man of English cricket W.G Grace. Following them was also leadership a former captain in George Ulyett. The English number 4 was Arthur Shrewsbury who Grace called his biggest rival for the best batter title in the 19th century. The rest of the side had handy batter Steel, Lucas, Barnes, O’Brien, Barlow, Pilling and there only main role bowler Ted Peate.
The First Test was played in Manchester and the hosts elected to bat first. Harry Boyle immediately started the series on a high for the Australians getting both Grace and Hornby early the openers combining for just 8 (all scored by Grace). Spofforth cleaned up Ulyett before a slight middle order fightback led by Shrewsbury who scored 43. Steel and Lucas the number 5 and 6 respectively both scored small 15s as England were bowled out for 93 in just two sessions on the second day after the first was rained out. Spofforth took 4 and Boyle 6 as Australia now had a chance with the blade. Ulyett began the fight back for the English trapping Bannerman in front for 6. McDonnell and Murdoch however fought back for 36 and 28. The Number 4 George Giffen batted well before popping one up to Barnes of his own bowling. Midwinter top scored with 37 batting 5th. The Aussie Tail wagged decently in difficult conditions in Manchester scoring 180. Peate and Ulyett the best of the bowling for England 3 wickets each. On the third and final day England just needed to survive for a draw. Despite some passionate Aussie Bowling, Grace and newly promoted opener Lucas kept the Australians at bay long enough for a draw.
Alex’s Rating: 4/10
Lords the home of cricket hosted the second test of the 3-game series. Batting first Australia struggled as Peate took 6 snares to put England on the front foot. But George Giffen and Tup Scott dug deep for 50s. The latter on 75 was caught by his own captain who was fielding for the English at the time and was the first ever Sub Fielder catch in Test history. Australia were knocked over for 229. England battered similar not having many amazing scores with almost every player getting double figures except three notable exceptions. Lord Harris the skipper of this test scored just 4 runs, Ted Peate the bowler who scored 8 runs but ended not out and a big triple figure innings by Alan Steel. The Englishmen brought up his ton and kept going till he got 148. Another Innings that should not be forgotten was number 11Stanley Christopherson playing in his only test he scored a rapid 17 batting last against a strong bowling attack. England Scored 379 a great total. Tup Scott yet again top scored for the baggy greens but this time with just 31. The Hero Ulyett took 7 wickets, Bannerman, Murdoch, Giffen, Bonnor, Midwinter, Palmer and Boyle as England won the game by an innings and 5 runs. The Hosts took the lead 1-0 and were to retain the Ashes if even if Australia could win the 3rd and final test.
Alex’s Rating: 7/10
For England this was a dead rubber For Australia this was a redemption shot. The Oval the place this very rivalry begun was to host the third and final test. Australia elected to bat first. Bannerman was out for 4. Percy McDonnell the opener tonned up with 103, Billy Murdoch the skipper tonned up with a world record 211 the first test double ton and the best player this Ashes for Australia Tup Scott got his reward a century. The Australians had put on a mammoth 551 and pressure was all over the poms. England in response had William Scotton who scored his highest test score a 90. His best partner was Walter Read who scored 117 the 4th century of the match (5 if you count Murdochs 200 has 2). Joey Palmer took 4 and England were out for 346, short enough that Australia could enforce the follow on. The Aussies had 26 overs to knock over the English before the end of the match but they poms held on for the draw losing just 2 wickets in there second innings. Barlow and Harris batted defensively and survived but Lyttleton and Shrewsbury went down swinging with high strike rates was this ancient bazball? No, it wasn’t it was just some bored Englishmen.
Alex’s Rating: 10/10
Overall this series was very competitive and in the end 2 draws just goes to show how close the Australians were to winning 2-1 and how close England were to cleaning sweeping.
Alex's Rating: 8/10
