Australia v England 1881-82

Played at SYDNEY, Friday, Saturday, Monday, March 3, 4, 6, 1882. Australia won by six wickets. It will be seen that neither Spofforth nor Bonnor played for Australia in this match. The Englishmen batted first, and after four of their best wickets had been taken for a few runs Shrewsbury played up splendidly, and was the principal means of the score being a good one. His batting was described as being absolutely free from fault. The commencement of the Colonists' innings did not point to the prospect of a large score, as when time was up on the opening day the three best batsmen of the eleven were out, and the score only 24, Bannerman and McDonnell being the not outs. Rain put a stop to the game early on the second day, and then the overnight not outs were still in, Bannerman with 59, and McDonnell with 72, the total being 146.

In continuing the innings on the Monday the wicket was dead, but in spite of that Bannerman added 11 to his score, and McDonnell no fewer than 73, although not one of the other five batsmen could succeed in getting into double figures. McDonnell's batting was extremely brilliant, but he was thrice let off. Bannerman played in capital style, and the two batsmen put on 191 runs while they were together.

Both sides found the wicket difficult when going in for the second innings. Shrewsbury batted capitally again and received assistance from Ulyett and Pilling, but when the second venture was over the Australians had only 64 to get to win; but Peate bowled magnificently, and before the requisite number were knocked off, four of the best batsmen among the Colonists were dismissed. The Englishmen were therefore defeated by six wickets.