Played at Melbourne, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, January 29, 31, February 1, 2.

Of the five test matches this was perhaps the most eventful. The Englishmen started in wonderful form by getting six wickets down for 57 runs, but after that they were quite outplayed, the Australians gaining a brilliant victory by eight wickets. The turning point of the Australians' first innings was the partnership of Clement Hill and Trumble, 165 runs being put on for the seventh wicket. Never before had Hill given quite so fine a display as his 183. He was batting a little over five hours and all things considered his innings may be described as perhaps the best seen in the Colonies during the season With only a total of 323 to face on a perfectly sound wicket, the Englishmen seemed to have very good prospects, but they failed miserably, their dismissal for 174 marking the lowest point reached by their batting during the whole trip. They did not do very much better when they followed on, and it is no more than the truth to say that they richly deserved to be beaten. The Australians' played their winning game wonderfully well, the variety and excellence of their bowling calling forth a high compliment from Mr. Stoddart when the match was over.