Bilateral Test series between 2 teams pack the international cricket calendar these days. But do you know the story behind the first-ever Test series?
Almost 150 years ago, an all-England team toured Australia in what turned out to be the first-ever Test series.
This article glances at the events that unfolded around the first-ever Test series.
The First-Ever Test Series
Cricket’s origin dates back to the 16th century somewhere in England. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that the cricketing world recorded its first-ever Test series in 1877.
Before the maiden series, several England sides toured North America, taking on the United States and Canada, and Australia, along with New Zealand. Matches played during these tours didn’t carry Test status.
But in 1877, an England team of professional cricketers set foot in Australia and played 2 First-Class matches against a Combined Australia XI, which later earned the official Test status, making it the first-ever Test series.
However, the first Test series had its fair share of drama. So there was a conundrum over 2 Englishmen — James Lillywhite and Fred Grace — who were preparing for separate tours of Australia at the same time.
Lillywhite wanted to tour Australia with a group of professional cricketers, while Grace wanted the presence of some amateur cricketers on the side. Due to some reason, Grace’s tour couldn’t materialise, providing a clear path for Lillywhite to proceed with his plans.
Lillywhite’s side toured Australia and New Zealand starting November 16, 1876, where they played 23 matches, 2 of which against a Combined Australia XI were designated as Test matches in 1885.
The English side, known as James Lillywhite’s XI, played 17 matches against Australia’s and New Zealand’s colonial teams before the first-ever Test.
The First Test Match
Finally, the day came ringing when Lillywhite’s men took on the Combined Australia XI in the first match on March 15, 1877. The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) staged the first-ever Test match between the Combined Australia XI versus James Lillywhite’s XI, later described as Australia versus England.
The cancelled tour of Fred Grace came as a blessing, as Australia could put up a team of the best players. Cricketers from New South Wales and Victoria made up the Combined Australia XI.
But one of Australia’s finest pacers, Fred Spofforth, who was from New South Wales, boycotted the first Test match to protest against the absence of his fellow Billy Murdoch in the squad.
The first Test got underway at 1 pm at the MCG, with 4500 spectators to witness history in the making. The home side, led by Dave Gregory, decided to bat first against the visitors.
Alfred Shaw opened the bowling attack for England, delivering the first ball in Tests, while Australia’s Charles Bannerman faced the first ball and scored the first run.
Gregory’s decision didn’t seem to go well for Australia, as they lost their first wicket on the score of 2. A partnership was building between Bannerman and Tom Horan, but Horan got out on 40, followed by Gregory’s dismissal a run later.
Wickets kept tumbling on the other end, but Bannerman kept batting and scored 165 runs before retiring hurt. His valiant fight helped Australia put up 245 runs on the board in the first innings.
England’s batter, in reply, had a tough time in their first batting essay, with opener Harry Jupp being the top scorer (63). Australia’s Billy Midwinter bagged the first-ever Test five-wicket haul (5/78).
Australia wrapped up England for 196 runs, taking a decisive lead of 49 runs, which they further extended by 104 runs. The England bowlers, led by Shaw’s five-for, made a comeback in the match, bowling out Australia for 104 runs.
With a target of 154 runs, the visitors looked favourites to win the first Test. But they had a rough start, losing the first wicket on zero, followed by 3 more in the span of the next 22 runs.
This pushed back England in the chase, but keeper John Selby and George Ulyett tried to revive the team. They stitched a 40-run stand, but after Ulyett’s wicket, it started going downhill.
The Australian bowlers bowled out England for 108 runs, winning the inaugural Test match by 45 runs. Tom Kendall’s seven-wicket haul was instrumental in Australia’s victory over the colonisers.
The Second Test Match
After a gap of 10 days, another match was arranged due to the success of the first Test. The 2 sides met in the second Test at the same venue starting March 31.
The Combined Australia XI got a boost as Fred Spofforth decided to participate in the match. Australia again won the toss and elected to bat first.
Australia got a cautious start, but Nat Thomson’s wicket on the score of 29 derailed the home side’s batting effort. The wickets kept falling with not much resistance from the Australian batters.
Allen Hill starred for England, picking up 4 wickets while bundling out the Aussies for 122 runs. Billy Midwinter, who took a fifer in the first match, was the top scorer for Australia with 31 runs.
After a humiliating defeat in the first Test, England’s batters were determined to make a turnaround. They lost 2 wickets early on, but their middle-order batters put on a collective effort, taking England to 261. This meant England took a massive lead of 139 runs.
But the Australian batters didn’t budge and made a comeback, with almost everyone chipping in valuable runs. Australia’s efforts saw them reach 259 runs in their second essay, setting a target of 121 runs.
The target wasn’t big, but England lost 3 wickets in the chase in a quick span. They were reeling at 9 for 3, when Andrew Greenwood and George Ulyett steadied their ship.
Ulyett scored a gritty 63, taking Australia closer to the target. Allen Hill finished the proceedings, taking England over the ropes to mark their first victory in Test cricket. As a result, the 2-match series ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw.
Some Interesting Facts About the First-Ever Test Series
- The 2 matches weren’t recognised as official Tests until 1985.
- Likewise, the teams weren’t known as England and Australia.
- The 2 matches were among the timeless matches played in Test cricket.
- Each over consisted of only 4 balls, unlike 6, which is the norm nowadays.
- Australia remain the only team to win their inaugural Test match.
- Apart from scoring the first run, Charles Bannerman brought up the first Test century.
- Allen Hill was the first player to take a wicket and a catch in Test cricket.
- Australia’s Jack Blackham affected the first stumping.
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