The Australian tour of England in the summer of 1886 had not gone well for the visitors.
They had lost all three Test matches. There were also reports in the press of ill-discipline and poor behaviour by some members of the touring party. Nevertheless, the matches had attracted large crowds and there was demand for a reverse series.
Accordingly, arrangements were made for England to visit in the following Australian summer, although on this occasion just two Test matches were played.
The first match was played in Sydney in a famously low-scoring match.
Australia, winning the toss, put England into bat, and bowled them out for just 45, with Charlie Turner and J.J. Ferris bowling unchanged. Turner claimed 4-15 and Ferris 4-27.
In turn Australia made 119, Harry Moses and Sammy Jones both making 31. George Lohmann and Dick Barlow took three wickets each for England.
In their second innings, England improved and this time made 184, Johnny Briggs top-scoring for them with 33, Ferris again starring with the ball, claiming 5-75.
However, set 111 to win, Australia crumbled to 97, thanks to Billy Barnes, who took 6-28. England had recovered to win by 13 runs.
The second Test took place on the same ground.
England again batted first. They made 151, Dick Barlow top-scoring with 34, whilst Ferris took 5-71 and Turner 5-41.
But Australia in turn were bowled out for just 84, Lohmann taking 8-35.
Leading by 67 on first innings, England extended that by scoring 154 in their second innings, Barlow with an unbeaten 42, whilst Billy Bates made 30. There were four wickets each for both Ferris and Turner, who between them bowled more than 124 overs!
Australia needed 222 to win. Captain Percy McDonnell made 35, Moses and Reginald Allen got into their thirties, but they lacked support from the rest of the team. Australia were all out for 150. Bates took 4-26 for an England team that won the match by 71 runs, and, with it, clinched the series.