Australia v England 1881-82

Played at MELBOURNE, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, March 10, 11, 13, 14, 1882. Drawn. Bonnor and Jones were the two men left out of the Colonists' team while Spofforth occupied a place in the eleven, but, as the bowling analysis will show, 'the Demon' was the least effective of all the trundlers in the match. 843 runs were scored for the loss of 22 wickets. The hitting was very severe all round, but particularly in the second innings of the Englishmen, when 220 runs were scored from the bat off 98 overs.

Shaw won the toss and his team went in first, remaining at the wickets all day, and losing 8 wickets for 282 runs. The feature of the innings, and of the match, was the grand batting of Ulyett, who went in first and was ninth out, having made 149 out of 239, without giving a chance until he had scored 132, and that was his only mistake. Up to the close of the season of 1882 Ulyett has not exceeded that score in a First-class match, and it is the highest innings yet made by an Englishman against Spofforth's bowling. Ulyett followed up his splendid performance by scoring 64 in brilliant style in the second innings, and he was backed up by Barlow, Selby, and Bates, who all played first-class cricket. Murdoch exhibited his best form while scoring his 85, and McDonnell batted in dashing style for his 52.

When stumps were finally drawn, and with them the match, the Englishmen had a great advantage, as they were 243 runs ahead with 8 wickets to fall.