The 1896 English cricket season saw Yorkshire win the County Championship title after only losing three of 26 games, setting a points percentage record with 68.42. Yorkshire's team did not possess the greatest performers statistically, such as Sussex with Ranjitsinhji, or Gloucestershire with WG Grace, but a well-rounded squad with four bowlers taking more than 70 wickets in the Championship and five batsmen scoring over 1000 runs gave them the title. Playing against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in May, Warwickshire scored 887 in their first innings, which is still the highest total in the history of the County Championship.
The highlight of the season, however, was the Australian tour, where Australia won their first Test in England since 1888, and gave England a fight up until the third Test. On a rain-affected pitch, however, England hauled in a 66-run victory thanks to Bobby Peel, who took six for 23.
Read more about 1896 English Cricket Season: Honours, Ashes Tour, Annual Reviews
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