Stoddart's Tour of Australia 1894-95
In 1894/5 Andrew Stoddart led a team to Australia that played five Tests in a see-saw series that saw England win the Ashes by 3 games to 2. The first Test started as a high-scoring affair, with Australia making a then-record 586 runs thanks to 201 from Syd Gregory and 161 from George Giffen. England replied with 325 and were asked to follow-on 261 behind. They made 437 to set Australia a target of only 177. Australia reached 113-2 at close of play, needing only another 64. Rain fell overnight, and Australia allowed play to be delayed for 20 minutes as a couple of England players, including slow left-arm spinner Bobby Peel had not reached the ground on time because they were hungover. Australia fell 10 short, with Peel taking 6 wickets and Briggs 3 on a pitch that had been made helpful by the rain. This was the first time a side following-on had won a Test match.
The second Test also saw a remarkable turnaround. After being put into bat in the first instance of a Test captain electing to field after winning the toss, England made only 75. Australia responded with 123. England's second innings was completely different. Led by the captain's innings of 173, England made 475. Australia managed only 333 to leave England comfortable winners by 94 runs.
Later, in the third Test Australia (238 and 411) finally rammed home the advantage after dismissing England cheaply (124 and 143) to win by 382 runs. The match was played in searing heat. In the fourth Test England chose to field after winning the toss, collapsed twice in one day, scoring only 65 and 72 to lose by an innings. The weather had now helped even the series up at two apiece. England (385 and 298 for 4) recovered to win the deciding Test from Australia (414 and 267) by 6 wickets. With England in early trouble in the second innings, JT Brown scored 140, reaching his 50 in 28 minutes and 100 in 95.
George Giffen could consider himself unfortunate to finish on the losing side, having contributed 475 runs at an average of 52.77 and 34 wickets at 24.11. "Terror" Turner had the best average of a specialist bowler on either side, taking 18 wickets at 19.38, but he only played in three Tests, missing the third match with a chill and surprisingly being dropped for the last. For England, Tom Richardson had 32 wickets at 26.53 and Peel 27 at 26.70.
England in Australia 1894-95. Match length: Timeless. Balls per over: 6. Series result: England won 3-2.
| No. | Date | Home captain | Away captain | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 14,15,17,18,19,20 Dec 1894 | Jack Blackham | Andrew Stoddart | Sydney Cricket Ground | ENG by 10 runs |
| 43 | 29,31 Dec, 1,2,3 1894/5 | George Giffen | Andrew Stoddart | Melbourne Cricket Ground | ENG by 94 runs |
| 44 | 11,12,14,15 Jan 1895 | George Giffen | Andrew Stoddart | Adelaide Oval | AUS by 382 runs |
| 45 | 1,2,4 Feb 1895 | George Giffen | Andrew Stoddart | Sydney Cricket Ground | AUS by Inns&147 runs |
| 46 | 1,2,4,5,6 Mar 1895 | George Giffen | Andrew Stoddart | Melbourne Cricket Ground | ENG by 6 wkts |
Read more about this topic: History Of Test Cricket From 1890 To 1900
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