OTD, 147 years ago: Spofforth claimed the first hat-trick in Test history
On January 2, 147 years ago, Fred Spofforth etched his name in cricket history by claiming the first-ever Test hat-trick at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This remarkable feat, achieved in just his second Test, propelled Australia to a dominant 10-wicket victory over England. Spofforth's bowling prowess was instrumental throughout the match.
File Pic: Fred Spofforth (Getty Images)
On this day — January 2 — 147 years ago, Australian fast bowler Fred Spofforth became the first bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket history. Spofforth achieved the historic feat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground way back in 1879, helping the hosts bundle out England for 113 in the first innings of the Test match.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!A hat-trick in cricket remains a fascinating achievement for bowlers even today because of its impact on the proceedings of a contest. It can turn the momentum upside down as the batting line-up loses three wickets in three balls, giving the bowling side a clear edge.
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Spofforth's achievement almost one-and-a-half centuries ago was one such turning point in the contest, leaving the opponents struggling to put up a fight as Australia won the match by 10 wickets.
It was just the second Test match for Spofforth, and he knocked over three English batters in consecutive deliveries to start one of the most fascinating feats in the game of cricket.Who was Fred Spofforth?The tall pacer was born on September 9, 1853, in Balmain, Sydney. The right-arm fast bowler made his international debut for Australia against England at Melbourne in March 1877.He went on to play 18 matches for Australia in his 10-year international career from 1877 to 1887, taking an impressive 94 wickets at a stunning average of 18.41.
He took seven five-wicket hauls in his career and four ten-wicket hauls, with best bowling figures of 7 for 44.
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The Sydney Test in January 1887 against England was his last appearance for the Aussies.Even though his Test career lasted just 10 years, Spofforth had a long 23-year first-class career from 1874/75 to 1887/88. He took an astounding 853 wickets in 155 first-class matches, including 84 five-wicket hauls and 32 ten-wicket match hauls.
His career-best first-class figures were 9 for 18, and he had a career first-class bowling average of a sub-15 — 14.95.
**How the historic Melbourne Test transpired in which Spofforth took the first hat-trick in Test cricket:
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After making his debut at the same venue in March 1877, Spofforth got the chance to represent Australia again after more than a year, in January 1879. Spofforth took just four wickets in his debut match, but the story was about to turn drastically this time around.England opted to bat first after winning the toss on that fateful day.