The Centenary Test

The idea for a commemorative Test Match was first raised by Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Committee-man, Tom Trumble, with Club Vice President, Hans Ebeling, over a quiet drink in 1973.

Four years later, the MCC hosted one of the most significant sporting events ever to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The First Test Match began on 15 March 1877 and was played over four days. One of the most significant games in cricket history, this match between Australia and England began one of the longest traditional rivalies ever to be seen in the world of sport.

Australia won the game by 45 runs, with Charles Bannerman scoring the first Test Century in the opening innings with 165 retired hurt and proving the major difference between the sides.

An appreciative crowd of more than 20,000 people over the four days enjoyed the spectacle of the Australian side triumphing over the English.

The Centenary Test of 1977 brought together hundreds of former players in one of the largest gatherings of Anglo-Australian Test cricket greats ever assembled. It was the 800th Test Match ever played and the 225th played between old rivals Australia and England.

As the centenary anniversary of that match drew closer, so also grew the scale of the occasion itself. To celebrate her Silver Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II was touring most Commonwealth countries and Her Majesty's visit to Melbourne, Australia was scheduled to coincide with the match.

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), Australian Cricket Board (ACB) and the Victorian Cricket Association (VCA) worked together to create the biggest sporting event held in Melbourne since the 1956 Olympic Games. 10,000 visitors from overseas and interstate flocked to the city.

The sense of occasion around the Match was not limited to activities on the field. The unprecedented gathering of cricketing elite was worthy of celebration. A commemorative dinner marking the event took place on the evening of the third day, celebrating the links between the Melbourne and Marylebone Cricket Clubs.

The Centenary Test Match itself lived up to the sense of occasion. On the opening day England captain, Tony Greig, put Australia in to bat, as much to avoid the bowling of Dennis Lillee on the firm pitch.

The morning session was eventful with Australia losing wickets, including Rick McCosker to a bouncer that broke his jaw before dropping onto the stumps.

By lunch Australia had slumped to 5/51 and by the end of the day Australia was all out for a dismal 138 runs. Former Australian Captain, now commentator, Richie Benaud observed “there has never been a more disastrous day for Australian cricket in the 100 years the game has been fought between the two countries”.

Facing humiliation, Australia turned to bowlers Dennis Lillee and Max Walker. They demolished the English batsmen to have them all out for 95 midway through the second day of play, Lillee taking 6/26 and Walker 4/54.

The Australians fared much better in their second innings reaching 9/419 declared.

In a truly extraordinary quirk of fate, the final winning margin for Australia of 45 runs was the exact same margin and result as the First Test, 100 years prior.

During tea on the final day the players lined up to meet the Queen. In the presentation ceremony at the end of the match, VCA president Ray Steele presented Dennis Lillee with a silver cup, a replica of the 1877 trophy awarded by The Australasian to the best colonial bowler. Derek Randall earned the Man of the Match award for his epic seven-hour stand at the crease in the face of a barrage of aggressive Lillee bowling.

The Centenary Test was a unique sporting moment, bringing together some of the most famous names in Australian and English cricket. It was a fitting celebration of 100 years of Test cricket, and worthy of being recognised as one of the most important ever Test matches in its own right.