THE OVAL, 1880-1921

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 34, 9 August 1921, Page 7

THE OVAL, 1880-1921

The first Test played by an Australian team in England took place ait Th© Oval on 6th, 7th, and Bth September, 1880; This game was th« fourth of the series, and next Saturday's conflict will be the one hundredth and fourth. Lord Harris (Kent) was England's leader for/this, the first match, which was won by.the Homo side by five wickets. W. G. Graco scored 152 in his first Test in EiiglaJid, and W. T. Murdoch,, the Australian captain, compiled 153 not out. Th» only victory gained at the Oval by an Australian eleven, was on 29th August, 1882, 'wfoon the colonial's won that historic Test by seven rung. F. R. Spofforth ("The Demon") bagged seven wickets .for 46 runs in the firsj- innings, and seven for 44 in the. second. Towards the end .of the game, men who were noted'for their coolness at critical moments were trembling with excitement; some were shivering'as with cold; some even fainted. At times theno was absolute silence. Such a finish was indeed* enough to upset the nerves of the coolest and pluckiest, Intense as tho excitement was, SpoSorth and Boyle never showed, a symptom of flurry, Blackham never made a mistake, a.pd tho Australian fielding was perfection. The result of this Test brought into vogue the well-known term "The. Ashes," as applied to^ Test• cricket between 'England- , and Australia. ' 11th August, 1884—37 years ago this week— was v a great day for Australia at the Oval, 363 runs being scored for the loss of two Y/ickets. The innings eventually closed for 551, W. L. Murdoch's tally of 211 standing aa the best individual effort in Test cricket, uut'l December, 1903, when, on the Sydney ground:, the Uvto R, B. Foster (Worceaterahiio) trounced the 'Australian bowling for 287, which has not been beaten so far by any English or Australian batsman. 3?. S. M'Donnell (Victoria) 103, and H. J. H. Scott (Victoria.) 102, also contributed centuries in the/1034 Test. During the first day's play every, man of the, .English sick venter to bowl. W. W. Read (Surrey), No. 10 on the batting list for England, hit ui> 117 in two hours, and a. quarter: and VV. 11. Scotton 90. in five hours and three-quarters. Englandscored 347 and 85 for two wickets. Tho , match was drawn. On 12th August, 1886, , England ran up 279 for two wickets, and were all out the next day for 434 (W. G, Grace 170, W. W. Read 94). G. A. Lohmann upset the Australians in both innings, which closed- for 58 and 149. The Surrey bowler collared seven for 36, and five for 68 during the match, which was won by England by an innings and 217 runs. " On 13th and 14th. August, 1888, the Australians wer« defeated by an innin»3 nnd 137 runs. P. S. M'Donncll's team only scored 00 and 100, jus compared with England's tally of 317 (It. Abel 70, W. Barnes 62, G. A. Lohmann 62 not out). The best bowling,

figures were : J. Briggs five for 25. W l. Barnes five for 32, and R. Peel fouir for 49. O. T. B. Turner, six for 112 was easily tho pick of fchei Australian bowlers. The 1690 Test wa« played' on a very slow^ wicket, the i-esult of heavy rain. Eng^ land' won this Test by two wiekete. During the match F. Martin (Kent) captured. twelve wickets for 102, and J. J. Ferris (Australia) nine for 74. The scores were : lingland 100 and 95 for eight wiekete, Australia 92 and 102. In August of 1893 Englajti won by an innings andi 43 runs. England*s batting produced 483. F. S. Jackson (Yorkshire), who was run out after scoring 103, A.- E, Stoddart 83, W. G. Grace 68, A: Shrewsbury 66,-A. Ward 55, and W. W. Read 52, made the Australian attack look simple, with the exception of G. Giffen, who came out of the ordeal with, seven wickets for 128 runs. Australia replied with 91 and 349 (G. H. S. Trott 92, A. C. Bannerman 55, G. Giffen 53). J. Briggs five for 54, and 1 five for 114. divided the bowling honours with W. H. Lockwood I —-four for 37 and four for 96. .Bain interfered with the Test of 1896, which was ■■ the last game G"-. Giffen (Australia.), and R. Peel (England) played in. H. Trumble, six for 59 and: six for 30, was the principal' factor on J, Darling's side in getting rid of England 1 for 145 (F. S. Jackson 45 and 84). Australia replied wiHi 119 (J. Darling 47 and, 44). J. T. He<vrne, six /for 41 and foiy for 19, and B. Peel six for 23 were the two English bowlers, who enabled England to notch a. victory by 66 runs. Th« 1899 Test saw the batsmen of both, teams triumph over the bowling, with the exception of W. H. Lockwoodi The Surrey man took seven, wickets for 71 whan' the Australa-ians scored 352 (S. E. Gregory 117) in the first innings. Eight English bowlers ware put on in the colonials' second visit to tile wicket, which netted 1 254 for five wickets (O. E. M'Leod 77, J. Worrall 75,' M. A. Noble 69 not out). T. Hayward (137^ and F. S. Jackson (118) wore not separated: until 185 was on the board, the side being out for 756. The match was drawn. The 1902 game was won by England: by, one wickeit, after a sensational innings by G. L. Jessop, who scored 104 after five wickets had'fallen for 48 runs. The Tests of 1905 and 1909 were drawn, and England won the 1912 game by 244 runs. .Of the thirteen Tests played at the Oval, England has won 8, lost 1, and drawn 4. It is 39 yean? since Australia scored;*a victory at the Oval, and it is N mora than probable:that the spell''■will be broken by W. W. Armstrong in the Test to commence at the OvM next Saturday.