Wisden on the Ashes

when the Australians had scored 127out of 283required to win. The Englishmen had the advantage of batting first on a splendid wicket, an advantage which was increased when the weather became uncertain after the opening day. Altogether no fewer than 1,049runs were scored for the loss of 33wickets, giving an average of 31 .26runs per wicket. Ulyett, Selby and Bates played splendidly for England, but in some cases the visitors’ scores would not have been so large had the Australian fielding been as good as usual. Horan was by far the highest scorer for the Colonists, and the merit of his splendid innings was enhanced by the fact that it was made without a chance against the best professional bowlers of the old country. The result of the match was a fairly even draw, the home team wanting 156to win, with seven wickets to fall.

Toss: England. England 294(G. Ulyett 87, J. Selby 55, W. Bates 58)

and 308(J. Selby 70, W. H. Scotton 50*, W. H. Cooper 6-120);Australia 320(T. P. Horan 124) and 127-3.

Second Test At Sydney, February 17, 18, 20, 21, 1882. Australia won by five wickets.

Spofforth and A. C. Bannerman were absent from the home team, but it was nevertheless a very strong one. The Englishmen batted first, but Palmer bowled splendidly throughout, and as the fielding of the Colonists was almost perfection, Shaw’s XI were out for the very modest total of 133. On Massie and Blackham going in, the former gave a chance at slip before a run was scored, which was not accepted, and for this mistake the Englishmen paid dearly, as no fewer than 79runs were put on before Massie was caught.

Resuming next morning in the presence of fully 16,000spectators, but in less favourable weather, the other nine wickets fell for the addition of 111 runs. On the Monday Ulyett and Barlow offered a most determined resistance to the Colonial bowling, as it was not until 122had been totalled that a separation was effected, Ulyett being the first to leave for a capital but somewhat lucky innings. Soon after Barlow was caught for an admirable 62, made without a mistake, and with the exception of Shaw and Shrewsbury none of the rest stayed long, and the total, though good, was not so large as might have been expected.

In going in for the 169they required to win, the Colonists lost two wickets before stumps were drawn, the score then standing at 35. The following morning Murdoch gave two chances before he was dismissed by a brilliant catch, and two other wickets also fell; so the Australians won the match by five wickets.

During the game Murdoch was presented with a splendid gold watch, and gold Maltese cross, in recognition of his great innings of 321for New South Wales against Victoria. Barlow and Ulyett afterwards received each a Maltese cross set with diamonds for their fine batting, and Blackham was presented with a service of plate for his fielding.

Toss: England. England 133(G. E. Palmer 7-68) and 232(R. G. Barlow 62, G. Ulyett 67,

G. E. Palmer 4-97, T. W. Garrett 4-62); Australia 197(W. Bates 4-52) and 169-5.

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Third Test At Sydney, March 3, 4, 6, 7, 1882. Australia won by six wickets.

The Englishmen batted first, and after four of their best wickets had been taken for a few runs Shrewsbury played up splendidly, and was the principal means of the score being a good one. His batting was described as being absolutely free from fault. The commencement of the Colonists’ innings did not point to the prospect of a large score, as when time was up on the opening day the three best batsmen were out, and the score only 24. Rain put a stop to the game early on the second day; the overnight notouts were still in, Bannerman with 59and McDonnell with 72, the total being 146. On the Monday the wicket was dead, but in spite of that Bannerman added 11to his score, and McDonnell no fewer than 73, although not one of the other five batsmen could succeed in getting into double figures. McDonnell’s batting was extremely brilliant, but he was thrice let off. Bannerman played in capital style, and the two batsmen put on 191 runs while they were together. Both sides found the wicket difficult when going in for the second innings. Shrewsbury batted capitally again and received assistance from Ulyett and Pilling, but when the second venture was over the Australians had only 64 to get to win; but Peate bowled magnificently, and before the requisite number were knocked off, four of the best batsmen among the Colonists were dismissed.

Toss: England. England 188(A. Shrewsbury 82, G. E. Palmer 5-46) and 134(G. E. Palmer 4-44, T. W. Garrett 6-78); Australia 262(A. C. Bannerman 70, P. S. McDonnell 147, E. Peate 5-43) and 64-4.

Fourth Test At Melbourne, March 10, 11, 13, 14, 1882. Drawn.

Bonnor and Jones were left out of the Colonists’ team while Spofforth occupied a place in the XI, but “The Demon” was the least effective of all the trundlers in the match. The hitting was very severe all round, but particularly in the second innings of the Englishmen, when 220runs were scored from the bat off 98overs. Shaw won the toss and his team went in first, remaining at the wickets all day, and losing eight wickets for 282runs. The feature of the innings, and of the match, was the grand batting of Ulyett, who went in first and was ninth out, having made 149out of 239, without giving a chance until he had scored 132, and that was his only mistake. It is the highest innings yet made by an Englishman against Spofforth’s bowling. Ulyett followed up his splendid performance by scoring 64in brilliant style in the second innings, and he was backed up by Barlow, Selby, and Bates, who all played first-class cricket. Murdoch exhibited his best form while scoring his 85, and McDonnell batted in dashing style for his 52. When stumps were finally drawn, and with them the match, the Englishmen had a great advantage, as they were 243runs ahead with eight wickets to fall.

Toss: England. England 309(G. Ulyett 149, T. W. Garrett 5-80) and 234-2(G. Ulyett 64, R. G. Barlow 56, W. Bates 52*); Australia 300(W. L. Murdoch 85, P. S. McDonnell 52, W. E. Midwinter 4-81).

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