Charles Bannerman Scores the First Test Century
The first match later counted as Test cricket began with a remarkable innings.
In March 1877, a combined Australian team met an English eleven at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for a contest retrospectively recognized as the first Test match in cricket history. The Australian side batted first, sending out Charles Bannerman to open the innings alongside Nat Thomson. Bannerman faced the opening delivery, bowled by England's Alfred Shaw, and went on to anchor the innings almost entirely on his own.
Bannerman batted through the opening day and continued on the second, scoring against a varied attack that included Shaw, Ulyett, Emmett, Southerton and Lillywhite. He had reached 165 when a delivery from the Yorkshireman George Ulyett split open one of his fingers. Unable to continue, he was forced to retire hurt.
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