Lives in Cricket No 29 - AN Hornby

8 But the Manchester Evening News begged to differ, saying the wicket had proved equally difficult for both sides: ‘These were the two best elevens in the world. It must be said, however, that on a wicket like that the best batsmen seem to do little better against good bowling than any moderate players.’ In suitably sombre mood the Manchester Evening Mail reported the grim news that at 13 minutes to six, just two hours and two minutes after England’s openers Hornby and Grace had walked purposefully to the middle, the home side had succumbed, adding ‘the game will long be remembered by those who had the good fortune to witness it’. Indeed, it was such a tense finish that one spectator is reported to have died after bursting a blood vessel, while another allegedly chewed through his umbrella. Both these incidents sound apocryphal, but although the latter probably is the former almost certainly isn’t. As the Manchester Evening Mail stated on 30 August: Immediately after the conclusion of the match one of the spectators, named Spendler, who had journeyed from Eastbourne to be present, fell down, blood at the same time issuing from his mouth and nostrils. He was at once carried off the ground and examined by several medical men, amongst whom was Dr Jones, the president The Ashes are born The 1882 Australian tourists. Top: G.E.Palmer, H.F.Boyle, P.S.McDonnell, F.R.Spofforth, T.P.Horan, S.P.Jones. Seated: W.L.Murdoch, G.Giffen, A.C.Bannerman, T.W.Garrett, H.H.Massie.