England v Australia 1901-02

The second Test match was in some respects the most remarkable of the series. Owing to a lot of rain for two or three days the wicket was very difficult on the opening day, but, as is not uncommon in Australia, it has practically recovered on the second morning. MacLaren, on winning the toss, put Australia in first, but his bowlers - Barnes and Blythe - did not serve him so well as he had hoped, and when an innings had been completed on each side the Englishmen found themselves 51 runs behind. When the Australians went in for the second time, Darling, rightly judging that the ground would improve, kept some of his best batsmen in reserve, and at the close of the day five wickets had fallen for 48. On paper the position favoured the Englishmen, but on the second day the cricket changed entirely in character, and the game all the afternoon went in Australia's favour. Hill played a magnificent innings, and at the drawing of stumps the score stood at 300 for nine wickets, Duff being not out 71, with Armstrong as his partner. These two players, who had taken the places filled in the match at Sydney by Charles McLeod and Laver, added 53 on the third morning, their partnership for the last wicket producing in all 120 runs. Duff, who was batting for three hours and a half, had the distinction of making a hundred in his first Test match. Moreover, in getting his 32, he showed by far the best batting while the pitch was difficult. The Englishmen wanted 405 to win, and the task proved far beyond their powers. Tyldesley at last showed his true form, but five wickets fell before the end of the afternoon, and on the fourth morning the end soon came, Australia winning by 229 runs. Noble had a big share in the success of his side, taking in all thirteen wickets for 77 runs. Barnes also took thirteen wickets. He bowled finely, but was overworked in the second innings of Australia.