Fred "The Demon" Spofforth

SPOFFORTH’S PUNCH-UP

Has any player ever come to blows, on or off the field, with an opposing player during an Ashes Test? Yes - and it happened in the Members Pavilion at the SCG. In January 1883 Fred Spofforth, the fiery Australian fast bowler, punched England’s batsman Dick Barlow, knocking him over a seat, after Barlow accused him of deliberately damaging the pitch.

This painting depicts the speed and ferocity that characterised the bowling of Fred ˜The Demon" Spofforth.