Lives in Cricket No 43 - John Jackson

64 The England Eleven in Australia and New Zealand 1863/64 interested spectator at their net practices was a lad named F.R.Spofforth, the ‘Demon’ himself, who was to take fourteen wickets for 90 at the Kennington Oval in 1882 when Australia won a Test Match in England for the first time, a feat that led to the inauguration of ‘The Ashes’ series. The team’s last match in Australia was in Melbourne on 21, 22 and 23 April when more bad weather was experienced, with the wicket having to be changed for each new innings. XXII of Victoria made 150 with Jackson bowling 37 overs, 19 maidens and taking ten for 34. England replied with 131, and Victoria were 83 for seventeen wickets when the match was abandoned. Jackson took two for 31 in 25.3 overs. Jackson took part in eighteen matches, batting 23 times, scoring 214 runs at an average of 12.58. He took 139 wickets and held 22 catches so it was a successful trip for him and he more than maintained his reputation. With the exception of Caffyn, who had accepted a coaching job in Australia, and E.M.Grace, the rest of the side, all of whom cleared about £250 each after expenses, embarked on the Bombay steamer for England, arriving at Dover on 13 June. The 1864 English season was by then under way. Jackson holding a cricket ball: in his hands an Instrument of terror and destruction. [Roger Mann Collection]