Scorecard for only Test Match played - 2nd, 3rd and 4th January 1879 (timeless Test)

The Melbourne Cricket club invited a Middlesex amateur, I.D. Walker, to bring and amateur team to Australia in 1878 - 1879. George Ulyett and Tom Emmett (both professional players) were asked to join the tourists to improve their chances and strengthen the side. However, Walker was unable to travel and Lord Harris captained the 13 man squad.

The trip was to take in Australia, New Zealand and additionally USA. It consisted of 15 matches and the third match of the tour, at East Melbourne was possibly the strangest of them all. It was called 'The Gentlemen of England' (in addition to Ulyett and Emmett - the professionals) v 'The Australian XI'. This was also known as the 3rd Test.

The Australian eleven was a much stronger side compared to the one that played two years ago, however the English side was not at all representative of the English Cricket scene. The squad included and Irishman who had never played County Cricket, and was chosen to keep wicket ! Six other players were to find that this was their one and only Test match and it was the public feeling at the time that it was a shame that such a match was labeled a Test match, largely due to the fact that 'England' didn't really hold any weight.

England batted first and soon found themselves 26 for the loss of 7 wickets, with Spofforth taking the first hat-trick in a Test, the unfortunate victims being Royle, MacKinnon and Emmett. However, England rallied with the aid of Harris (33) and Absolom (52) to 113, but Australia made 256 and after England only made 160 in the second innings, needed 18 runs to win. They scored them without loosing a wicket, Spofforth took 13 wickets in the match.