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THE SUMMER ISSUE
THE KING OF SPORTS
WE DON ’ T KNOW ABOUT YOU , BUT WE SERIOUSLY STRUGGLE TO REMEMBER AN AUSSIE SUMMER THAT DOESN ’ T INVOLVE CRICKET . WHETHER IT ’ S IN THE BACKYARD , ON THE TELLY OR UNDER THE STADIUM LIGHTS , THE KING OF SPORTS HAS FILLED OUR SUMMERS ( AND OUR HEARTS ) FOR YEARS . LET ’ S TAKE A MOMENT TO PAY HOMAGE TO FIVE GREAT CRICKET CLASSICS .
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1882 : LONDON ,
ENGLAND THE ASHES ARE BORN The year was 1882 . Australia and England were preparing to battle it out at Kennington Oval , London . The Aussies won the toss and opted to bat . In just over two hours , the entire Aussie team was dismissed for 63 in 80 overs .
Next , the Brits stepped up for their time at the crease , only to be left begging for mercy from
Australian bowler Fred Spofforth . He took seven wickets and restricted England for 101 .
The second innings saw Australia bowled out for 122 runs in 63 overs , locking in an overall lead of 84 . If our maths is right , that meant the Brits needed just 85 runs to win the match .
Enter Fred Spofforth … again . He took another seven wickets that day , leaving England a mere eight runs away from victory .
That right there was Australia ’ s first Test victory over England . It was also the moment The Ashes legend was born .
The Sporting Times published this obituary the following day : “ In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at the Oval on 29th August 1882 . Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances , RIP N . B : The
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