3-085-782 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The English Cricket Team in Australia: the Second Test Match, Melbourne cricket ground, New Year's Day, 1898. 'Mr. Stoddart, after his eleven lost the third match out of five tests, admitted himself to be terribly disappointed...In the second match Stoddart lost the toss, and his men had to field while the Australians knocked up 520. Towards this McLeod made 112, Gregory 71, Iredale, 89, and Trott 79. Such a big total is depressing to the side against which it is made, and the Englishmen could do no more than make 315, the chief scorers being Ranji 71, and Storer 51. This, of course, meant a follow on, and then occurred such a collapse as is not often seen in such a big game...Such a deplorable beating as an innings and 55 runs is better passed over without comment...It is probably the strongest team ever taken out to Australia, and yet it has failed where others have succeeded. There has been no lack of brilliant individual batting displays. What, then, are the reasons for the defeats? We are bound to say we think they are the wonderful variety of bowling at the command of the Australian captain, and the fact that our men could not bear up against the climate sufficiently to do themselves full justice'. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.