Australia v England 1882-83

A large number of catches were missed in this match, and the Englishmen were by far the greatest sinners in this respect. In the first innings of the home team Bannerman, McDonnell and Bonnor might all have been dismissed for comparatively few runs had the chances of catching them been accepted. So great was the interest manifested in this contest that the attendance was the greatest known at any three-day's match in Australia. The Englishmen were placed at a disadvantage in the inability of Morley to take part in the match, and the winning of the toss was a distinct gain to Murdoch's men, as they were thus enabled to bat on the opening day, whilst the visitors were compelled to play the whole of both innings on a wicket which the heavy showers of Sunday had seriously affected.

Murdoch won the toss, and at 12.15 sent in Bannerman and Massie, the bowlers being C. T. Studd and Barnes. With the total at 5 Bannerman narrowly escaped being run out, and without any addition to the score Massie was finely caught and bowled. Very soon after Murdoch came in Bannerman was missed at slip by Barnes. Both batsmen played with the greatest of care, and at the luncheon interval 46 runs had been made, Murdoch being not out 23, and Bannerman, not out 19. On resuming the score was carried to 81, when a 'yorker' dismissed Murdoch, and without the addition of a single run, Horan was caught. At 96 Bannerman was cleverly stumped, and at 110 Giffen, his successor, nearly shared a similar fate. His partner, McDonnell, however, was the first to leave, clean bowled, after being twice missed, the score then standing at 162. With five of the most reliable wickets down Bonnor joined Giffen and at once commenced to hit tremendously hard. He gave a possible chance to Barlow at the boundary when he made 7, and drove the next ball clear of the spectators into the pavillion reserve for 5, and an over later scored another 5, the ball going into the ladies' enclosure. Giffen was stumped at 190, and was succeeded by Blackham. Bonnor scored another 5 and then had a life at the hands of Read. After that some steady play brought the total to 232, when Bonnor made his fourth 5, a terrific hit which would have gone over the outer fence for 6 had the ball not struck a tree. Blackham was caught at the wicket at 251, and when Spofforth, who filled the vacancy, had been badly missed by Steel, stumps were drawn for the day, the total 259 for seven wickets, Bonnor, not out, 60 and Spofforth, not out, 1.

Heavy showers on the Sunday and again early on Monday had considerably affected the wicket to the disdavantage of the batsmen, and the sun shining out with great power just before the game was resumed caused it to play treacherously. The not outs continued their innings shortly after 12 o'clock. after giving a couple of somewhat hard chances Spofforth was caught at 287, and at the same total Garrett was dismissed. With 4 runs added the innings terminated, Bonnor, whose brilliant batting had been a feature of Saturday's play, being caught in the slips. The roller having been carefully used the Englishmen commenced batting at 1.05, their start being a most disastrous one. With only two singles scored Palmer bowled the captain, and at 7 Leslie was caught, over half-an-hour being consumed in scoring those 7 runs.

Luncheon was then taken, and, directly after C. T. Studd was bowled, and three wickets were down for only 8 runs. With an addition of 12 Barlow was dismissed, and at 36 he was stumped. Steel, who had batted in capital form, was clean bowled at 45, and half the wickets were down. Read and Bates, by good cricket, then raised the score to 96, when the former played on, to be succeeded by Tylecote. Four runs were added and then rain caused an adjournment for a few minutes. On resumption Bates was caught without any addition being made to the total, and at 117 G. B. Studd was unfortunately run out. There were then only two wickets to fall, but those two wickets gave considerable trouble. Barnes had not been seen to greater advantage in any of the previous matches, and Tylecote batted with pluck and determination. Tylecote was bowled at 156, having been missed by Bonnor just before. Then Vernon quickly hit up 11 while Barnes made 4, when Palmer bowled the latter, and the innings terminated. Being 114 to the bad the visitors had to follow on, and in short time left for play that day Barlow scored 8 and Tylecote 3, the total 11, with no wicket down.

The wicket was not improved by the showers which fell on Monday night and early the following morning, but the weather was fine though dull when the second innings of the visitors was resumed at 12.15 on the Tuesday. Barlow and Tylecote, the overnight not-outs, continued to bat in excellent form, and it was not till after three appeals to the umpires had been answered in their favour, and the total had reached 64, that the latter played a ball on to his wicket. When eleven runs had been added Barlow was bowled, but on Steel facing C. T. Studd another good stand was made. At the luncheon interval Studd had made 12 and Steel 8, and, on continuing, the total was advanced to 105 before the former, who had been missed by Giffen, was bowled.

After this non of the batsmen stayed for any considerable length of time, Bligh was bowled at 108; Steel's well-played innings was brough to a close at 132; and Leslie, who was unwell, hit his wicket at 150. Then the seventh, eighth, and ninth wickets all fell at 164, Read being bowled and G. B. Studd and Bates caught. Vernon came in, and when five more runs were scored the innings terminated, and the Australians were set the task of scoring 56 runs to win. Massie was caught before a run was made, But Bannerman and Murdoch, by good and careful cricket, hit off the required number, and won the match by nine wickets.