Test cricket born 137 years ago today

Today marks 137 years since the very first international Test match took place between Australia and England at the MCG.

Both sides fielded far from full-strength sides, with England opting against amateurs (meaning no W.G. Grace) and the Aussies featuring an eleven made up entirely of Victorians and New South Welshman (no Fred Spofforth).

Australia’s Charles Bannerman faced the first ball of what would come to be known as Test cricket from England’s Alfred Shaw, working a single the very next delivery to register the first run.

Bannerman went on to notch Test cricket’s debut century, reaching 165 before a steeping delivery from George Ulyett cannoned into his fingers and forced him to retire hurt.

The home side finished all-out for 245 in their first innings, Bannerman totalling 67 per cent of the team’s score (still a record).

English-born Billy Midwinter was the star with the ball for Australia, picking up 5-78 off a remarkable 54 overs to dismiss England for 196; still 49 runs in arrears of the Aussies’ first innings total.

On a severely deteriorating pitch, batting was hard going in the second innings, both sides managing just 212 combined.

Despite handy middle-order runs from England’s John Selby, the left-arm medium pace of Tom Kendall picked up 7-55 to ensure the Baggy Green began its Test history with a 45 run win.