Australia v England 1903-04

Played at Melbourne, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, January 1, 2, 4, 5. England won by 185 runs.

The Second Test Match ended in a victory for England by 185 runs. The significance of the win, however, was altogether discounted by the fact that before the Australians had any chance of batting, rain had ruined the pitch. England won the toss, and, by dint of over-careful batting against fine bowling and fielding, scored 221 on the first day for two wickets. Foster was then not out 49, but a severe chill prevented him taking any further part in the game. Little cricket was practicable on the Saturday, and it was not until the third day that England's innings ended for 315, the last three wickets falling for nine runs. Apart from one chance Tyldesley played superbly, being seen at his very best on the second afternoon when the wicket was difficult. In the Australians' first innings. Trumper gave a wonderful display and got his side within the 200 runs which, according to the rule followed in Australia, would have involved a follow-on.

In first, he was the last man out, and though he had a liberal share of luck his innings was one which perhaps no other batsman could have played under similar conditions. When England went in for the second time, Tyldesley again played superbly, but five wickets were down for 74. Owing to more rain play could not be resumed on the Tuesday until nearly half-past three, but just before six o'clock the match was over, Australia's second innings would have produced a far smaller score than 111 if the Englishmen had not blundered so deplorably in the field, a lot of catches being missed. Rhodes bowled splendidly in both innings, and by taking, in all, 15 wickets beat the record in Test matches. The last seven Australian wickets fell for 38 runs. Rhodes had eight catches missed off him.