Trott Made It Hell All-Round For England In Adelaide

Author Steve Neal recounts the startling Test debut of a man who would go on to achieve cricketing immortality

- Steve Neal

The English team had grins plastered all over their faces soon after tea on the first day of the Test at the Adelaide Oval in January 1895. On a perfect batting wicket, they had reduced Australia to 157-9, the innings as good as over.

Andrew Stoddart, the England captain, had led his bowlers well and the Surrey quick, Tom Richardson, had picked up four wickets. The England bowlers not only had to contend with the perfect wicket but also the heat, an exceptional 38 degrees in the shade.

With just the one wicket to get, they were almost home and dry. They had won the first two Tests in this five-match series. The game was as good as over, the series finished, the Ashes in the bag.

They must have taken a particular pleasure in silencing the noisy Australian crowd, who had arrived in hope that morning by train and horse-drawn buggies from the outlying districts.

The first two Tests had been close, with the luck and the key moments in the games going England’s way. The talk in the clubs and pubs, and on the streets, had been whether Australia could pull things back in this game. Now, the scoreboard gave an answer – a pitiful total on this pitch.

The 21-year-old Albert Trott came to the crease, grandson of an Antiguan slave, making his Australian debut batting at No.10. At the other end was No.11 Syd Callaway.