Centenary Test

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Centenary Test refers to two matches of Test cricket between the English cricket team and the Australian cricket team, the first in 1977 and the second in 1980. The matches were played to mark the 100th anniversaries of the first Test cricket matches played in Australia, in 1877, and in England, in 1880. None of the matches are considered to form part of the biennial competition between England and Australia for the Ashes: the early matches preceded the first Ashes Test at the Oval in 1882, and the 1977 and 1980 matches were one-off commemorative matches, not part of an Ashes series.

The first Centenary Test, generally considered the Centenary Test, was played in 1977 to commemorate the match that is considered to be the very first Test match, played in 1877. Both matches were played in March, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Remarkably, Australia won both matches by exactly the same margin, 45 runs.

A second Centenary Test was played in 1980 at Lord's in London, to commemorate the first Test match in England, at The Oval in 1880. The 1880 match was the fourth to be considered a Test match, and followed three earlier matches played between England and Australia in Australia (including the 1877 Test). The 1980 match was affected by rain on the first two days, and was drawn. This was the last Test match commentated by John Arlott.

1 Centenary Test, 1977
2 Centenary Test, 1980
3 External links
4 References

[edit] Centenary Test, 1977

The Centenary Test was played from 12 March to 17 March 1977, with a rest day on 15 March. At that time, Test matches in Australia were played with 8-ball overs.

England won the toss and put Australia in to bat first. To the delight of the England team, Australia were dismissed within 44 overs for only 138 runs, with the wickets shared between the four England bowlers, John Lever, Bob Willis, Chris Old and Derek Underwood, and Australian captain Greg Chappell recording the best innings of 40 runs in almost 4 hours at the crease.

Somewhat ominously, as it would prove, Dennis Lillee struck to dismiss the English opening batsman Bob Woolmer before the end of the first day, to leave England with one wicket down for 29 runs at the close. Australia struck back decisively on the second day, with Lillee taking a further 5 wickets, ending with 6/26 in the innings, and Max Walker taking 4/54, to dismiss England for only 95, 43 runs in arrears.

Australia regrouped, digging in in their second innings and batting through the remainder of the second day (ending at 3 for 104), through the third day (to 8 for 387), before declaring on the fourth day at 9 for 419. Rodney Marsh (110*) became the first Australian wicket-keeper to score a century against England, and there were half-centuries for opening batsman Ian Davis (68) as well as Doug Walters (66) and David Hookes (56). England were left to bat out the remainder of the match for a draw, or to score a world-record 463 for victory.

Bob Woolmer was out cheaply for a second time at the start of England's second innings, but England continued positively, with a partnership of 83 between Mike Brearley and Derek Randall for the second wicket (Brearley out for 43) and 166 between Randall and Dennis Amiss for the third wicket (Amiss out for 64) seeing England to 3 for 279, and the victory target only 184 runs away. Despite Randall going on to score 174, his first Test century, and captain Tony Greig and wicket-keeper Alan Knott both recording scores of 41 and 42 respectively, England were finally dismissed on 417, with another 5 wicket haul for Lillee (5/139). Despite playing with an injured back, and leaving the ground in a chair, Lillee finished with match figures of 11/165.

Australia won by 45 runs. Remarkably, Australian won the 1877 match by exactly the same margin of victory.

The 1877 match was a timeless Test played from 15 March to 19 March 1877, with a rest day on 18 March, with 4-ball overs. Australia scored 245 in the first innings, with 165 from Charles Bannerman, the first Test century, before he retired hurt (over 67% of the total, a Test record that still stands). The England team, captained by James Lillywhite, scored 196 in reply, with Billy Midwinter taking 5/78, the first Test "five for". Australia scored 104 in their second innings, with Alfred Shaw taking 5/38, setting England a target of 153 to win, but England were bowled out for 108, with Tom Kendall taking 7/55.

[edit] Centenary Test, 1980

The 1980 Centenary Test was played at Lord's from 28 August to 2 September 1980, with a rest day on 31 August.

Australia, captained by Greg Chappell, won the toss and elected to bat. Although the first two days were affected by rain, Australia ended the first day on 227 for 2 and the second on 278 for 4, declaring at 385 for 5 on the third day, with centuries for Graeme Wood (112) and Kim Hughes (117). England were bowled out for 205, with Len Pascoe taking 5/59 and including a duck for England captain, Ian Botham. Australia declared on 189 for 4 in their second innings, setting England an unlikely target of 370 in less than one day to win. Geoffrey Boycott batted out the rest of the day, scoring 128 not out, leaving England on 244 for 3 at the close, and the match was drawn.

England won the 1880 Test by 5 wickets. The three-day match was played at The Oval from 6 September to 8 September 1880. The England team included three Grace brothers, W. G. Grace, E. M. Grace and G. F. Grace. England won the toss and batted first, with W. G. Grace scoring 152, the first century by an Englishman, in England's first innings total of 420. Australian were bowled out for 149, followed on, and scored 327 in their second innings, including 152 not out for Billy Murdoch. England lost 5 wickets before reaching the target of 57.