England In Australia 1881-1882
England In Australia 1881-1882
A four-game series in Australia was on the cards and it couldn’t of been closer on paper and the series proved to contain the first draws in cricket history. The series started and ended in Melbourne and had 2 Sydney tests in between sure to be a cracker.
In the first test both Australia and England scored a lot of runs and proved to be a great contest. The English first innings saw 50s from Selby of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire men, Bates and Ulyett. Ulyett fell on 87, 13 short of a century this is commonly believed to of started the myth that 87 was an unlucky number being another unlucky number in 13 away from the Ton. England finished with 294 runs a good lead back in the day considering they didn’t have Grace. Australia’s response? Tom Horan. 124 the Victorian made leading Australia to a responsive 320 giving them a 26-run lead. England’s second innings was lead by John Selby getting two fifties in the match with a 70. He was supported by a rear guard 50 from bowler William Scotton and England had a 282-run lead. The English bowlers had less then a day to knock the Aussies over but the Aussies held on for the draw thanks to Percy McDonald’s 33.
Tom Horan Hero of the first test:
Alex’s Rating: 10/10
We travel down to Sydney at the SCG for the second test of the series. The English started the first of the Sydney tests with a measly 133, despite good performances from the openers and yet another re-guard effort from William Scotton. The reason for the English struggle was due to Joey Palmers 7 wicket haul. But the Aussies couldn’t do much better with the bat after yet another good start from the openers with Massie falling 1 short of a 50 and Blackham a 40 of his own. Both teams had middle order struggles and this led Australia to a lead of just 64 runs. But yet again the English openers performed well Barlow and Ulyett both getting 60s setting Australia 169 runs which was definitely defendable but would take some bowling. This time it was the skipper of the Aussies Billy Murdoch who performed well reaching 49 after a poor opening from Blackham. The Australians got over the line by 5 wickets in the end.
A Drawing of William Scotton:
Alex’s Rating: 5/10
The Third test also in Sydney was a must win for the English however if you want a one-sided affair this is the game. If it wasn’t for Arthur Shrewsbury’s fine 82 England might not of even mounted 100 as they were bowled out for 188. As always Joey Palmer lead the charge in the absence of Spofforth and took 5 wickets. Now the Australians turn to bat. Remember how in the second report I made that I said you’ll see Alec Bannerman’s name a lot? Well after 250 minutes and 1 fine partnership with Percy McDonald who scored 147, Bannerman scored 70 another 50 to his growing total. McDonald had also been a star with the blade this season and the 147 was quite superb from reports including 16 fours and 1 six as no other Australian scored over 10 runs. The English needed a response and well Shrewsbury got 47 clearly the hero of the tests but England just couldn’t survive Joey Palmer and Tom Garret. Australia needed 64 and they got over the line by 6 wickets although it was a struggle thanks to the efforts of Ted Peate however Australia claimed the win and the series.
Joey Palmer:
Alex’s Rating: 9/10
The Fourth and final test back in Melbourne was nothing more but a chance for England to get a bit of revenge. Batting first England was lead by the Skipper Ulyett who scored 149 a massive innings putting England on a big front foot. Then the Aussie skipper Murdoch responded with a 85 to put pressure back on the English but time was running out in the match… In the second innings with no hope of a win the English had 4 batters who all scored 50s its safe to say even if the game was a draw for the English this was a win.
Series Skippers, Ulyett of England Left, Murdoch of Australia Right:
Alex’s Rating: 7/10
The Series was a bit surprising to say the least Australia were not favorites to win this but struggling from the long boat ride to get down under England lost the series despite some very good performances. All in all a great series.
Alex’s Rating: 9/10
