England tour of Australia 2-Test match series first ever officially Test Match played between Australia (Combined team of New South Wales and Victorian Eleven) and England (The All England Eleven) at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne in 15th to 19th March in 1877.
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| Charles Bannerman, the first ever run and first hundred scorer in Test cricket history © Wisden Cricket Monthly |
Charles Bannerman and Tom Kendall stars as Australia registered historic first-ever Test win against England by 45-runs in the first ever Test match in cricket history.
*The First Ever Test Match in Cricket History*
The inaugural Test match in cricket history took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Australia. The match was played between Australia and England, with Australia's Dave Gregory winning the first-ever toss in Test match history. Gregory chose to bat first, and Australia's openers, Charles Bannerman and Nat Thompson, made history as the first-ever openers in Test cricket.
Alfred Shaw delivered the first-ever ball in Test cricket history to Charles Bannerman, who faced it and scored the first-ever run in Test cricket history. However, Australia soon lost their first wicket, Nat Thompson, who was bowled out by Allen Hill, the first-ever bowler to take a wicket in Test cricket history.
Charles Bannerman made history again by hitting the first-ever four (4) in Test cricket history. Tom Horan became the first batsman to be caught out in Test cricket history, with Allen Hill taking the catch.
Despite losing wickets consistently, Charles Bannerman continued to bat strongly, eventually becoming the first-ever batsman to score a half-century (50) in Test cricket history. He went on to score the first-ever Test century in cricket history, remaining unbeaten on 165 off 285 deliveries, including 18 boundaries.
Australia's first innings ended with a score of 245/9, with Charles Bannerman retiring hurt. In response, England's openers, Harry Jupp and John Selby, made their debut in Test cricket history.
England's batting performance was led by Harry Jaff, who scored 63 off 241 deliveries. However, England's team was all out for 196, trailing Australia by 49 runs.
In the second innings, Australia started with a valuable 49-run lead, but their batting performance was restricted by England's excellent bowling. Australia was all out for 104, setting a target of 154 for England to win.
However, England's batting lineup failed to chase the target, losing 4 wickets for 22 runs. Australia's bowler, Tom Kendall, delivered a brilliant spell of 7/55, helping Australia win the historic first-ever Test match in cricket history by 45 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
*Key Statistics:*
- Charles Bannerman: 165* (285 deliveries, 18 boundaries)
- Tom Kendall: 7/55 (bowling performance)
- Australia: 245/9 (first innings) and 104 (second innings)
- England: 196 (first innings) and 108 (second innings)
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