THE AUSTRALIANS AT LORD'S

The first appearance of the Australians at Lord's against M.C.C. and Ground in 1878 was one of the most extraordinary matches ever played. The ground was in a dreadful state, and the Australians in one day defeated a powerful side by nine wickets, dismissing the Club for 33 and 19 Mr. F. R. Spofforth in the first innings took six for 4, including a hat trick, and Mr. H. F. Boyle six for 3 in the second. The Colonials beat Middlesex by 98 runs despite the great century by the Hon. Edward Lyttelton, but were defeated by an innings and 72 runs by the famous Cambridge eleven. The Australians were not seen at Lord's again until 1882. Since that time they have five times met the Gentlemen, winning three times and losing once. In 1906 Mr. W. W. Armstrong scored 248 not out, the third largest innings ever made on the ground in a first-class match.

The Australians were beaten by an innings and 263 runs by the Players in 1890, but won by six wickets in 1893. Against M.C.C. the Australians have won five times, lost six times and had six draws. Middlesex has been met on eleven occasions, but the county has never yet been successful. Ten test matches have been played at Lord's, England being victorious in 1884, 1886, 1890 and 1896, the Australians in 1888, 1899 and 1909, whilst the matches 1893, 1902 and 1905 were unfinished. In 1888 England scored 53, her smallest aggregate in the whole series in this country. Shrewsbury scored 106 in 1893, Mr. A. G. Steel 148 in 1884, Mr. S. E. Gregory 103 in 1896, Mr. V. S. Ransford 143 in 1909, Mr. G. H. S. Trott 143 in 1896, Mr. C. Hill 135 in 1899, Mr. V. Trumper 135 not out in 1899 and Mr. H. Graham 107 in 1893. Gunn's innings of 228 for the Players at Lord's in 1890 is the highest individual innings hit against the Australians in this country.