Australia v England 1911-12

Outplayed from the start, the Englishmen lost the first Test match, which lasted into the sixth day, by 146 runs. Fine batting put Australia in a commanding position, and Hordern did the rest, the googly bowler taking twelve wickets for 175 runs. The English batsmen mastered him in subsequent matches, but on this occasion they found him very difficult. On the first day Australia scored 315 for five wickets, their batting being distinguished by caution rather than brilliancy. Trumper played well, but in a style quite foreign to his usual methods. Not out 95 at the end of the first day, he took in all three hours and three-quarters to score his 113. Minnett, who hit fourteen 4s, was far more vigorous and attractive. When stumps were drawn on Saturday, England had scored 142 for four wickets, but, despite some fine play by Hearne and Foster, they finished up 129 behind on the first innings. Going in with this majority, Australia scored 119 for the loss of Bardsley's wicket before the call of time. Foster and Douglas bowled very finely on the fourth day, but the Englishmen could never make up the ground they had lost. Douglas, as captain, made a great mistake in not letting Barnes start the bowling in either innings. Though his injured wrist still troubled him, George Gunn played an excellent second innings.