James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1886

T H E I G H T HE N G L I S HT E A MI N A U S T R A L I A . 1 3 were wasted by long delays at junctions , owing to the increase of traffic on Christmas Eve, and instead of being housed in Ballarat about midnight , it was nearly daylight before we arrived . A very quiet and pleasant Christmas D a y was spent by all . O n Boxing Day, in the presence of 5,000 spectators , the Englishmen went into bat on one of the perfect wickets for which Ballarat has become so famous, and 220 runs were m a d e for the loss of eight wickets . The next day the innings closed for 226 , Barnes, w h o was just at this time in wonderful form, being not out, 85. O n the twenty-two going into bat, after a wicket had fallen , a great stand was made by Worrall and Musgrove, 151 runs being added during the partner- ship . TheEnglish bowling was severely punished , though Musgrove was missed several times in the long field . T h etotal reached 234 for the loss of fourteen wickets , whenthe stumps and match were drawn. The same evening we left for Melbourne, spending Sunday in that city . O nMondaywe left Melbourne at quarter past six a.m. for Benalla , a small townabout 120 miles on the direct line to Sydney. Peel and Barnes were left in Melbourne for a rest , Shawand Henderson taking their places . Thematch wasplayed on turf, but this wassoon very muchcut up, and it was a mercy that no one wasinjured . The game was drawn in favour of the local team, who werevery strong in bowling . The Benalla people did everything they possibly could to makethe match enjoyable , and I a msure the Englishmen will long rememberthe very kind treatment they received. Ournext match was against CombinedAustralia , at Melbourne ,commencing on N e wYear's Day. The Combined Team was a fairly strong one, but although on the spot, Murdoch and his men refused to play against us. F o r this they were severely censured , with one exception , by the whole of the Australian Press, and, indeed , no reasonable excuse was forthcoming for this ebullition of ill will to the visitors . Mr. Justice Williams, with the Victorian Association , immediately disqualified all the Victorians from playing in any matches under their patronage . Little moreneed be said on this subject , except that with the exception of Spofforth , the whole of them did all they could to injure our success , and were justly condemned by all right -thinking men throughout Australia . In spite of this drawback 10.000 interested spectators visited the Melbourne ground on the opening day of 1885. Glorious weather favoured us, and winning the toss , the Englishmen were in all the first day, scoring 303 for the loss of nine wickets . Shrewsbury and Barnes played finely for 72 and 58 respectively , and Bates hit hard for 35. Their batting , though , wasthrown into the shade by the splendid performance of Briggs who, having at the close of the first day's play scored 65, on resuming increased it to 121 , before he was grandly caught by Horan, at forward square leg , from a huge hit . Hunterassisted himto add 98 runs for the last wicket in just the hour. A big score of 401 stared the Combined Teamin the face , but they went manfully to work, and at the call of time had made 151 for the loss of three wickets , Horanhaving played a sound innings for 63. The attendance was about 5,000 . O n Saturday, in very hot weather, and in the presence of at least 6,000 spectators , who, no doubt, would have been increased but for the oppressive heat, the gamewas continued . The telegraph board announced 190 for three wickets , and the Colonials were getting hopeful of at least saving the follow on, when Trumble was caught and bowled for a very steady and careful 59. Twoother wickets fell immediately , and though Jarvis played a fine innings for 82, and Worrall hit hard for 34, the innings closed for 279. Following on, 66 runs were made for the loss of two valuable men, Horan and Jones. O nMonday, in perfect weather , the game was soon brought to a close . At lunch time all hopes of a victory for the Colonials had vanished . Seven wickets indeed were then downfor 106, and the innings closed for 126. The five runs required to win were quickly made, and the Englishmen won by ten wickets . The match was a very pleasant one throughout . Aprize of £10, given for the highest scorer on each side , was for the English team secured by Briggs , while