South Africa v England 1898-99

Played at NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, April 1, 3, 4. The tour ended with the return against South Africa and a truly sensational game it proved, Lord Hawke's team winning by 210 runs after having been 85 behind on the first innings. South Africa put a very good team into the field but the side suffered severely through the loss of Llewellyn. On winning the toss the Englishmen naturally expected to make a good score but they collapsed in a deplorable way and having had 60 on the board for one wicket were all out soon after the luncheon interval for 92. South Africa began by losing five wickets for 61 runs, but Kuys stayed some time with Sinclair and at the drawing of stumps the score was up to 126 for seven wickets. On the following day Sinclair batted in wonderful form scoring 89 out of the first 140 that were added. Standing quite 6ft. 4in. he combines driving power with very strong back play. His splendid innings was closed at last by a brilliant catch on the ropes. Going in for the second time against a balance of 84 the Englishmen were for once taxed to the utmost. They did very well and at the call of time had scored 222 for five wickets, Tyldesy being not out 87. On the following day the Lancashire batsman was caught at mid-on for a faultless innings. Only in this match and in the one against the Eleven of the Transvaal was he seen at his best during the tour. When South Africa went in to get 246 it was fully expected that Lord Hawke's eleven would win, but no one was prepared for the collapse that followed. Haigh and Trott bowled in marvellous form and were backed up by fielding that could scarcely have been smarter. Sinclair was out to an extraordinary catch at long-on, Milligan just securing the ball leaning back on the ropes. With the victory in this match the tour of the Englishmen came to an end.