The historic Melbourne Cricket Ground hosted the first-ever Test match of cricket between England and Australia on 15 March 1877.
The match was 4 day Test, which lasted three days, with Australia winning by 45 runs.
Australian batter Charles Bannerman scored the first century in Test cricket history during the match. James Lillywhite led the English team, while Dave Gregory captained the Aussies.
It’s interesting to note that after three straight days of play, there was also a “rest day.”
Australia’s opening batter Bannerman hit 165 runs and spent 285 minutes in the center, he was eventually forced to retire hurt.
Winning the first-ever toss, Australia decided to bat. They put up 245 runs in their first innings.
English bowler Alfred Shaw, who bowled the first delivery, claimed three wickets. While James Southerton also picked up 3 scalps.
England in response scored 196 runs in their first innings. Harry Jupp bagged fifty, scoring 63 runs. Australia’s Billy Midwinter took a five-wicket haul in the innings.
Australia crumbled in the second innings as they scored as they were bundled out at 104. Alfred Shaw again did the magic and picked up Fifer.
However, England failed to achieve the target in a close encounter and lost the match by 45 runs.
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