Lord's was little better and only 105 minutes of play were possible. Hopkins of Australia, caused consternation in the English camp as he took the wickets of Fry and Ranjitsinhji without a run being added. However, some strong batting from Jackson (55 not out), saw England out of trouble before rain once again put pay to the game.

 

Another Test match ground making its debut in 1902 was Bramall Lane, Sheffield. It was in fact their only representation in Test cricket; no other game was played in Sheffield after this match. Australia batted first and scored 194, Barnes coming back into the side for his only appearance of the series took 6 - 49. Saunders and Noble took England apart in their reply and were all out for 145. Clem Hill then scored 119 as Australia finished their innings on 289. Needing 339 to win, Noble once again with the aide of Trumble bowled out England, Noble taking 11 wickets in the match. Australia won the 3rd match of the series by 143 runs and in so doing took a 1- 0 lead in the series.

 

The Old Trafford match was to prove a decisive one and the unfortunate Fred Tate is famous for his part in it. MacLaren (England captain) asked his bowlers to keep Victor Trumper (New South Wales) quiet till lunchtime and the sun by then would have weaved its magic on a rain-affected wicket. Things didn't go quite to plan as Australia by lunch were 1 - 173, Trumper was 103 not out. This century was the first of only three to be scored before lunch on the first day of a Test. Trumper was to only score another run as Australia finally made 299 all out. In reply England made 262, Jackson making 128 and Braund 65, 37 runs short of the Australian total. Australia then fell for 86 runs, but Fred Tate dropped Darling at a crucial stage and Darling went on to score 37, the top score. England now required 124 and should have been less. At 3 for 92 they were looking relaxed and in control, until Trumble and Saunders started eating up the wickets. Tate joined Rhodes for the last wicket and eight runs were still required. Tate was bowled 5 runs later for 4 runs, and this proved to be his only Test.

 

The fifth and final Test at the Oval saw one of the great comebacks in Test cricket. The lower order helped Australia reach a total of 324, and when Trumble (who had scored 64 not out at number nine) came on to bowl, he proceeded to knock England over for 183. Australia only made 121 in their second innings as the wicket deteriorated, leaving England 263 to get for the win, although the series was out of reach. Things were not looking great for England as they were soon 5 for 48 runs. Gilbert Jessop then joined Jackson at the wicket. In what was perhaps the finest innings in Test cricket, Jessop scored a century in only 75 minutes, only one test match century has been scored quicker. Jackson fell and Hirst joined him at the crease. When Jessop himself fell for 104 out of 139, England were 7 for 187. Hirst continued, and when Rhodes joined him for the last wicket, 15 runs were still required. Hirst scored 58 and in doing so, England scraped home by 1 wicket.