Lives in Cricket No 29 - AN Hornby

14 supporters at Old Trafford, a miserable total of 21 runs for an equally miserable average of 3.5. The Oval Test that begat the Ashes was at the midpoint of Hornby’s lengthy playing career, but, outwardly, it didn’t seem to affect him in any noticeable way. In fact, Hornby, captaining a rather depleted North of England against the auld enemy (Australia) at Old Trafford a fortnight later, was to gain some measure of compensation with a comprehensive win. Without the services of Steel, Billy Barnes and Fred Morley, who were en route to Australia, and Arthur Shrewsbury, whose finger was too sore to allow him to take part, the North still proved more than a match for the Aussies. The North needed only 28 for victory in their second innings and there must have been a good deal of satisfaction for Hornby, batting with his Lancashire opening partner Barlow, as he struck two fours in an over off the bowling of Tom Garrett and cut a ball from his nemesis, Spofforth, ‘grandly behind point for four thus finishing the game’. The North reached their target in 8.3 overs with Hornby unbeaten on 18 and Barlow not out 11 as they romped to a ten-wicket win. Pardon, in his book Australians in England , may have been over- egging the pudding, but he declared very firmly: ‘There was no luck and no fluke about the match, which was to a considerable extent revenge for the Oval defeat of August 29, and supports the opinion I have always held that, strong as the Australians are, they are not equal to our very best teams when the ground is in good order.’ Obviously another fan of Hornby’s leadership skills, Pardon added: ‘It is necessary to mention the admirable judgement displayed by Hornby in placing his field and changing his bowling.’ The Stockport Advertiser wasn’t slow in comparing this win to England’s defeat at The Oval. Their report stated: When the Colonists came off the victors in the match played against the representative English team at Kennington Oval one might have imagined – judging from the mournful wailings of some of the organs in the Press – that British supremacy in cricket had been removed once and for ever. The result of the more recent contest at Old Trafford dispels the ludicrous fallacy, and proves clearly that matches of an international character should not be decided by a single game, subject as it is to the tricks of atmosphere and fortune. Brilliant cricket was shown on both sides during each of the The Ashes are born