Lives in Cricket No 29 - AN Hornby

7 nine. Pardon was to describe this as ‘the best bit of fielding in the match’. Australia No. 11 Harry Boyle was bowled first ball by Steel with no further addition to the score, leaving England to chase a very gettable target of 85 – and in cricketing terms they had almost all the time in the world to reach it. Hornby, who had curiously batted at ten in the first innings, strode out with Grace to open England’s second innings at quarter to four in the afternoon. They started in circumspect fashion in their quest for the runs that would secure them victory. ‘The moderate rate of run- getting,’ said The Times report, ‘was relieved by Mr Hornby driving a ball of Spofforth’s to the on for four, while in the same over he made a lucky “snick” to leg for two. Two overs later, however, his off stump was struck, while [Dick] Barlow, who followed, had his wicket upset by the first ball he received.’ The Manchester Evening News reported in its first edition – in the days before radio’s Test Match Special, Teletext, Cricinfo and rolling satellite sports news television programmes and when evening papers produced several editions each day – that by 4.45 pm, an hour after the innings had begun, the score was 40 for two, with England almost halfway to their modest target and with wickets in hand. Fred ‘The Demon’ Spofforth, who, along with his colleagues, was so upset by the Jones run out incident that he told his team-mates shortly before England’s openers took the field: ‘This can be done,’ had taken both England wickets. Earlier, Spofforth was alleged to have visited the England dressing room and told Grace: ‘You’re a bloody cheat. This will lose you the match.’ And Spofforth was true to his angry words. Bowling from the Vauxhall End with his arms flailing, he added five more scalps to his haul, ripping through the English ranks to claim seven for 44, giving the Australians an improbable seven-run victory. Hornby was particularly gracious in defeat, telling the Australian captain Murdoch: ‘Well, old fellow, it would have been the proudest moment of my life to have won but I cannot help congratulating you sincerely on the splendid uphill game and your well merited success.’ The Times correspondent reckoned Australia had the best of the wicket, which he claimed ‘played very treacherously during the England innings’. The Ashes are born