Melbourne cricket Club organised and managed the 1882 - 1883 tour of Australia. Once again 12 men (8 amateurs and 4 professionals) left for Australia, this time captained by the Kent batsman, Ivo Bligh. He put his reputation on the line before sailing when he claimed and promised to bring back the ashes (made famous by the obituary notice).

The party called into Colombo, Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka) to play a match and a tradition was born. This fixture would last until air travel came into operation. A short distance out of port, the boat carrying the players collided with a steamer and both ships had to return to port. Unfortunately during the accident Notts professional Fred Morley suffered a broken rib and was to take no further part in the tour.

Due to Morley's injury the team picked itself for the first test. As Morley lay in bed, Australia scored 291. In reply England fell short scoring only 177 runs, Palmer took 7 - 65 and proved how much he liked bowling against the English ! By the time England's second innings ended (after been asked to follow on) Australia only required 57 runs to win the first test. Australia soon picked up the required runs with the loss of only one wicket. 54,000 people watched the three days play.

Melbourne was to again prove a preferred ground in Australia as they played with a lot more purpose. They made 294 in their first innings. Australia in reply could only manage 114, Bates not only taking 7 wickets for 28 runs but also taking England's first hat trick. The dismissed batsmen were McDonnell, Giffen and Bonnor. Bates again bowled brilliantly in the second innings (Australia following on) and took 7-74 as Australia had no answer to him. England won the match by an innings and 27 runs, the first ever instance of an innings defeat/victory.

Sydney called and the teams travelled directly to Sydney to play the third test match. 20,000 fans were to watch bligh win the toss and bat and soon found plenty to cheer about when England were soon 5 -75. However thanks to a dogged performance by Tylecote (66) England reached 247 all out. Australia started the innings well and closed the day on 1 -133 and in a very strong position. The second day arrived and Australia were bowled out for 218, short of the English total. England then collapsed themselves to 123 all out, leaving Australia 153 to win. Barlow was England's saviour as he more or less bowled them out, taking 7 wickets costing 40 runs, Australia all out for 83, 69 runs short.

England had won the series 2-1 and some Melbourne ladies burned a bail, placed the ashes in a small urn and presented them to Bligh, as 'The Ashes of English Cricket' - which he had won back. The urn and ashes now reside at Lords in a velvet bag, as they were back in 1883 and remain in their resting-place. It is only the 'name' that is transferred between the two countries.

Even though the series had been won, a 4th match was arranged and because of injuries and weariness, England lost by 4 wickets, the ashes were on their way to England.

Leading wicket taker for both teams were :-

Bates - England took 18 wickets at an average of 15.88

Palmer - Australia took 21 wickets at an average of 18.90