The Sydney Riot of 1879 was one of the earliest riots at an international cricket match. It occurred at the Association Ground, Moore Park now known as the Sydney Cricket Ground. The game was between a touring English team captained by Lord Harris and the New South Wales Cricket Association led by Dave Gregory. The riot was sparked off by a controversial umpiring decision, when Australian star batsman Billy Murdoch was given out by umpire George Coulthard. It was alleged that betting men in the New South Wales pavilion encouraged Gregory to make a stand and disrupt the game. Riots occur when crowds of people have gathered and are committing crimes or acts of violence usually due to a perceived grievance or out of dissent. ... For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... For more coverage of cricket, go to the Cricket portal. ... The English cricket team is a cricket team which nominally represents England and Wales, operating under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ... Robert George Canning Harris, 4th Baron Harris (born St Annes, Trinidad 3 February 1851, died 24 March 1932), better known as just Lord Harris was a British politician and cricket player. ... The New South Wales Cricket Association (NSWCA) is a sporting club who administer cricket in New South Wales and particularly the Sydney Cricket Ground. ... David William Gregory (April 15, 1845 in Fairy Meadow, New South Wales - August 4, 1919 in Turramurra, New South Wales) was an Australian cricketer of the 19th century. ... William (Billy) Lloyd Murdoch (born 18 October 1854 in Sandhurst, Victoria - died 18 February 1911 in Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian cricketer, probably best remembered for captaining the Australian tours to England in 1880, 1882 (when the Ashes legend was born), and 1884. ... In the sport of cricket, a dismissal occurs when the batsman is out (also known as taking a wicket) // Ways of getting out A batsman can be dismissed in a number of ways, the most common being bowled, caught, leg before wicket (LBW), stumped and run out. ... George Coulthard (born August 1, 1856 in Boroondara, Victoria, died October 22, 1883 in Carlton, Victoria) was a star Australian Rules Footballer who played for Carlton and cricketer who played for the Melbourne Cricket Club, Victoria and briefly for Australia. ...

The immediate aftermath of the riot saw the England team cancel the remaining games due to be played in Sydney. The incident also caused much comment by the press in both the England and Sydney. Later a letter from Lord Harris about the incident was printed in the English newspapers, and caused a new outrage in New South Wales when it was later printed in the colonial press. The New South Wales Cricket Association then volleyed off a reply, which further damaged relations. The riot led to a breakdown of goodwill that threatened the immediate future of England-Australia cricket tours. The friction between the cricketing authorities was finally eased when Lord Harris agreed to lead an England representative side at the Oval in London more than a year later. The English cricket team is a cricket team which nominally represents England and Wales, operating under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ... In sports a national representative side or team is one that plays under the national name. ... The famous gasometers, which are now listed buildings. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ...

Background

England cricket tours to Australia had started in 1861, and whilst successful, were still in their infancy in 1879. The teams were sometimes strong, sometimes not so, because, whilst the promoters sought out the best cricketers, they still had to agree terms with them. Not only that, many could not afford the time for the 48-day or so long boat trip to Australia, the tour itself, and the 48-day trip back.

Other than a minor tour by an Australian aboriginal team in 1868, Dave Gregory led the first major Australian tour to England in 1878. This tour was generally rated as a success, with the Australians famously beating a very strong side put out by the Marylebone Cricket Club, which included the legendary WG Grace. Keen to make the most of this success, the Melbourne Cricket Club invited Lord Harris, a leading amateur cricketer of the time, to take a team to Australia. Originally the team was only to contain amateurs, but in the event two professional Yorkshire batsman, George Ulyett and Tom Emmett, joined the tour team. However, despite the titles, the main distinction between amateurs and professionals was social status: although amateurs did not get paid for playing, they did receive generous "expenses". David William Gregory (April 15, 1845 in Fairy Meadow, New South Wales - August 4, 1919 in Turramurra, New South Wales) was an Australian cricketer of the 19th century. ... Lords 2005 The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), founded in 1787, is a private members club and was the original governing body of cricket in England and across the world. ... William Gilbert Grace (July 18, 1848–October 23, 1915) was an English cricketer who, by his extraordinary skills, made cricket perhaps the first modern spectator sport, and who developed most of the techniques of modern batting. ... The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. ... External link Cricinfo page on Lord Harris Categories: Cricket stubs | 1851 births | 1932 deaths | Cricketers | English cricketers | Oxford University cricketers | Kent cricketers | English batsmen | English test cricketers | English cricket captains ... Yorkshire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Headingley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. ... George Ulyett (21 October 1851 - 18 June 1898) was an English all-round cricketer, noted particularly for his attacking batting. ... Thomas (Tom) Emmett (born 3 September 1841 in Halifax, Yorkshire; died 30 June 1904, in Leicester) was one of the finest bowlers in English cricket in the late 1860s, the 1870s and the 1880s. ...

Soon after Dave Gregory's 1878 Australian team was back in Australia, Lord Harris's English team arrived. Australia won the first match, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, by 10 wickets. NSW's "Demon bowler" Fred Spofforth took 13 wickets in the match, as well as the first ever hat-trick. Later this game was recognised as the third Test match^[1]. The next tour match was against New South Wales and started on January 24 at the Association Ground (now called the Sydney Cricket Ground), Sydney. New South Wales won by 5 wickets^[2] despite the absence of Spofforth who withdrew from the home side after spraining his wrist the night before the start of the match. The MCG situated in Yarra Park The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is an iconic Australian sporting venue located in Yarra Park in inner Melbourne, home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. ... Frederick Fred Spofforth (born in Balmain, Sydney on 9 September 1853, died in Surrey, England on 4 June 1926) - also called The Demon, was arguably the Australian cricket teams first and best pace bowler of the 19th century. ... In sports, a hat-trick (more often rendered in North America as hat trick, without the hyphen) is associated with achieving something in a group of three. ... Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. ... January 24 is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For more coverage of cricket, go to the Cricket portal. ... Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and with a population of over four million people is the most populous city in Australia. ...

The game

George Coulthard, whose decision to give out Billy Murdoch led to the riot.

Edmund Barton, who later became the first Australian Prime Minister, umpired the game and helped to defuse the riot.

George Ulyett, the Yorkshire professional scored 55 and took 5 for 57 in the game.

A second game between the English XI (captained by Lord Harris) and the New South Wales XI (captained by Dave Gregory) commenced on Friday 7 February at the Association Ground.^[3] It was usual for each side to select one of the two umpires for a match. The English side selected as its umpire George Coulthard, a 22-year-old Victorian, who had been employed by the tourists on a recommendation from the Melbourne Cricket Club. (He had accompanied them from Melbourne following the Test.) New South Wales selected as their umpire Edmund Barton, who later became the first Australian prime minister. As both Gregory and Spofforth were playing for New South Wales this time, bookmakers were offering attractive odds against an English win, and New South Wales were heavily backed. Image File history File links GCoulthard. ... Image File history File links GCoulthard. ... George Coulthard (born August 1, 1856 in Boroondara, Victoria, died October 22, 1883 in Carlton, Victoria) was a star Australian Rules Footballer who played for Carlton and cricketer who played for the Melbourne Cricket Club, Victoria and briefly for Australia. ... William (Billy) Lloyd Murdoch (born 18 October 1854 in Sandhurst, Victoria - died 18 February 1911 in Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian cricketer, probably best remembered for captaining the Australian tours to England in 1880, 1882 (when the Ashes legend was born), and 1884. ... This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Sir Edmund Barton (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the first Prime Minister of Australia and a founding justice of the High Court of Australia. ... Image File history File links George_Ulyett_-_noted_as_copyright_Wisden_1888. ... Image File history File links George_Ulyett_-_noted_as_copyright_Wisden_1888. ... George Ulyett (21 October 1851 - 18 June 1898) was an English all-round cricketer, noted particularly for his attacking batting. ... Yorkshire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Headingley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. ... External link Cricinfo page on Lord Harris Categories: Cricket stubs | 1851 births | 1932 deaths | Cricketers | English cricketers | Oxford University cricketers | Kent cricketers | English batsmen | English test cricketers | English cricket captains ... David William Gregory (April 15, 1845 in Fairy Meadow, New South Wales - August 4, 1919 in Turramurra, New South Wales) was an Australian cricketer of the 19th century. ... February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... George Coulthard (born August 1, 1856 in Boroondara, Victoria, died October 22, 1883 in Carlton, Victoria) was a star Australian Rules Footballer who played for Carlton and cricketer who played for the Melbourne Cricket Club, Victoria and briefly for Australia. ... The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. ... Melbourne is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-largest city in Australia (after Sydney), with a population of approximately 3. ... Sir Edmund Barton (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the first Prime Minister of Australia and a founding justice of the High Court of Australia. ...

Lord Harris won the coin toss and chose to bat. Hornby and Lucas started the England innings at about 12.10pm in front of approximately 4,000 spectators. They put on 125 together, before Spofforth bowled Lucas for 51 and Hornby soon after for 67. Ulyett got 55 and Harris 41. However, Spofforth so cut up the wicket with his feet that it became very difficult to play, with Edwin Evans pitching nearly every ball into the marks. Eventually England were all out for 267 at close of play. Evans took 5 for 62; Spofforth took 5 for 93. At close on the first day, NSW were 53 for 2. In the sport of cricket, a coin is tossed to determine which team bats first. ... Template:Infobox Albert Hornby Albert Neilson Hornby (10 February 1847 – 17 December 1925), better known as Monkey Hornby, or to his players as The Boss was the England cricket captain who lost the test match at home in 1882 against the Australian cricket team that gave rise to the Ashes. ... Edwin Evans (born March 26, 1849 in Emu Plains, New South Wales; died July 2, 1921 in Walgett) was an Australian cricketer who played in 6 Tests between 1881 and 1886. ...

The match continued at noon the next day, Saturday 8 February. Ten thousand were in attendance, and New South Wales did well, getting to 130 for 3 at lunch. However, wickets tumbled thereafter, and New South Wales were all out for 177, with star batsman Billy Murdoch having batted through the innings for 82 not out, making him the hero of the innings for Australia. The professional Tom Emmett top-performed for the Englishmen with 8 for 47. New South Wales had to bat again, 90 runs behind, and they started their second innings around 4 o'clock. Then, when the New South Wales score in the second innings was 19, Murdoch was adjudged run out by George Coulthard. February 8 is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... William (Billy) Lloyd Murdoch (born 18 October 1854 in Sandhurst, Victoria - died 18 February 1911 in Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian cricketer, probably best remembered for captaining the Australian tours to England in 1880, 1882 (when the Ashes legend was born), and 1884. ... Thomas (Tom) Emmett (born 3 September 1841 in Halifax, Yorkshire; died 30 June 1904, in Leicester) was one of the finest bowlers in English cricket in the late 1860s, the 1870s and the 1880s. ... Follow-on is a term (noun and verb) used in the sport of cricket. ... Run out is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket. ...

The riot

Many in the crowd disagreed with the decision and took exception to it being made by an umpire paid for by the Englishmen. That Coulthard was a Victorian no doubt added to the emotions, and there were unfounded rumours that Coulthard had placed a large bet on an English victory. The crowd would have already been suspicious of Coulthard's competence, as it had been questioned in the press; the Sydney Morning Herald, in reference to Coulthard's refusal of an appeal for a catch that would have dismissed Lord Harris on that Friday had written "The decision was admittedly a mistake". The pavilion is at an angle to the crease, so the members there could not have known how accurate the decision was. Nevertheless, directly after the decision was made against Murdoch, an uproar started in the pavilion. No batsman came out to replace Murdoch, so Harris walked towards the pavilion and met the NSW captain, Gregory, at the pavilion gate, at which point Gregory asked Harris to change his umpire. Harris refused as the English team considered the decision a good one. In the sport of cricket, an appeal is the act of a player on the fielding team asking an umpire for a decision regarding whether a batsman is out or not. ...

It was whilst Harris was remonstrating with Gregory that "larrikins" in the crowd surged onto the pitch. A young Banjo Paterson, who later went on to write the patriotic Australian song Waltzing Matilda, was in the crowd. In total up to 2,000 swarmed onto the pitch and started to attack Coulthard. Lord Harris, who had gone back onto the field to support Coulthard, was struck by a whip or stick, but he was not hurt. Hornby, a keen amateur boxer, who had been offered the English captaincy before stepping aside in Harris' favour, grabbed the man who struck Harris and "conveyed his prisoner to the pavilion in triumph". Hornby was also attacked and almost lost the shirt off his back. Emmett and Ulyett each took a stump and escorted Harris off, assisted by some members. The other umpire, Edmund Barton, helped to defuse the situation, a feat which benefitted his publicity campaign when he stood for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly later that year. He later became Australia's first Prime Minister. Larrikinism is the name given to the Australian folk tradition of irreverence, mockery of authority and disregard for rigid norms of propriety. ... Banjo Paterson. ... Waltzing Matilda is usually sung in informal settings, but it was played with a full 90 piece band and 100 voice Melbourne Chorale at the 2005 Classical Spectacular Waltzing Matilda is Australias most widely known folk song and one that has been popularly suggested as a potential national anthem... Template:Infobox Albert Hornby Albert Neilson Hornby (10 February 1847 – 17 December 1925), better known as Monkey Hornby, or to his players as The Boss was the England cricket captain who lost the test match at home in 1882 against the Australian cricket team that gave rise to the Ashes. ... Sir Edmund Barton (18 January 1849 – 7 January 1920), Australian politician and judge, was the first Prime Minister of Australia and a founding justice of the High Court of Australia. ... Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Governor Premier Const. ...

Independent witnesses said Coulthard's decision was close but fair.

When the ground was finally cleared Gregory insisted, according to Harris, that Coulthard be replaced. When Harris would not agree, Gregory said, "Then the game is at an end". Barton was asked by Harris whether he could claim the match. Barton replied "I will give it to you in two minutes if the batsmen don't return". Harris then asked Barton to speak with Gregory and ascertain what Gregory would do. When Barton came out he announced that Alick Bannerman and Nat Thomson would resume the NSW innings. They reached the stumps, but before they could receive a ball, the crowd invaded the pitch for a third time, and remained there until stumps. According to the Sydney Mail approximately 90 minutes' play had been lost. The game resumed on the next scheduled day, Monday February 10, but rain had fallen and New South Wales made only 49 in their second innings, with Emmett and Ulyett taking the wickets. The match was completed with the English Eleven winning by an innings and 41 runs. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with February_10%2C_2003. ...

Reaction to the riot

There were allegations that the riot was started by bookmakers, or at least encouraged by the widespread betting that was known to be occurring at the match. That was certainly Lord Harris's view, and also the view of some of his team. Vernon Royle, a member of Lord Harris's team, wrote in his diary that "It was a most disgraceful affair and took its origin from some of the 'better' class in the Pavilion". The Reverend Vernon Peter Fanshawe Archer Royle (born 29 January 1854 in Cheshire, England; died 21 May 1929 in Middlesex, England) was a member of Lord Harriss cricket team to tour Australia in 1878/9. ...

The Australian press and cricket officials immediately condemned the riot, and cricket took over the front pages of the NSW press, even though that same weekend bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang had raided Jerilderie. The Sydney Morning Herald called the riot “a national humiliation”, a disgrace that "would remain a blot upon the colony for some years to come". However, they also suggested that some of the blame should be appropriated to one of the English professionals, who "made use of a grossly insulting remark to the crowd about their being nothing but 'sons of convicts'". ^[4] The Australasian asked, "What will they say in England?" Ned Kelly the day before his execution Edward Ned Kelly (c. ... Jerilderie, New South Wales, Australia, is a town of 900 people and a Local Government Area, located on Billabong Creek, 640 kilometres southwest of Sydney and 60 kilometres north of the Victorian state border. ... The Sydney Morning Herald is a major Australian broadsheet newspaper published daily in Australias oldest and most populous city, Sydney. ...

Lord Harris's letter

The New South Wales Cricket Association appealed to Lord Harris, and in reply he said he "did not place any blame on the Association, or on the cricketers of Sydney, but it was an occurrence it was impossible he could forget". On 11 February 1879, one day after the conclusion of the match and three days after the riot, Harris wrote a letter to one of his friends about the disturbance. It was clear that he intended that the letter would be printed in the press, and, indeed, the letter appeared in full in The Daily Telegraph, a London newspaper on 1 April, and in other London newspapers, where it caused a furore. Wisden's Cricketers Almanack considered the incident of such significance that it found space for the whole correspondence too. The letter, which gives a detailed contemporary account of what Lord Harris thought about the riot, read as follows: The New South Wales Cricket Association (NSWCA) is a sporting club who administer cricket in New South Wales and particularly the Sydney Cricket Ground. ... February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1879 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... website = www. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ...

I am not certain whether you will be astonished or not at what I have to tell you, but I know you will be distressed that your friends, a party of gentlemen travelling through these Colonies for the purpose of playing a few friendly games of cricket, should have been insulted and subjected to indignities it distresses us to look back upon. We began the return match with the NSW Eleven on Friday, February 7, scored 267, and got our opponents out for 177 by 3.30 on the Saturday afternoon. Murdoch, who had carried his bat out in the first, and A. Bannerman went to the wickets to commence the second innings. At 19 on the telegraph the former was run out. Before he got back to the pavilion I heard shouts of "not out", "go back", etc., arise from that quarter, and saw the occupants of it rise almost en masse. I at once saw what was the matter, and instead of waiting for D. Gregory (the captain) to come out to me, perhaps unwisely walked to the pavilion to meet him at the gate. He, I found, in the name of the NSW Eleven, objected to Coulthard, the umpire.

I must here diverge to explain certain facts connected with the Colonies which are not known or understood at home. Contrary to our custom, it is here the exception to employ professional umpires. This I was not told until after the disturbance. As you know, we brought no umpire, and on arrival at Adelaide I asked the representatives of the Melbourne CC if they could recommend anyone to us whom we could take about with us throughout our tour. They mentioned this man Coulthard, a professional on their ground, whom they had constantly tried and found competent, and added that if we on trial also considered him competent, the MCC would be very glad to give him leave of absence so long as we wanted his services. I considered him on trial a good and trustworthy umpire, and arranged with the MCC that he should accompany us to NSW. Had we known on our arrival that a feeling existed in these Colonies against the employment of professional umpires, it is possible we might have acted differently; but, understand, at the same time, that I have seen no reason as yet to change my opinion of Coulthard's qualities, or to regret his engagement, in which opinion I am joined by the whole team.

To resume my account of the disturbance on the ground on the Saturday. I asked Gregory on what grounds the objection was raised, and he said at first general incompetence, but afterwards admitted that the objection was raised on account of the decision in Murdoch's case. I implored Gregory, as a friend, and for the sake of the NSW Cricket Association, which I warned him would be the sufferer by it, not to raise the objection, but he refused to take my view of the case. Looking back in the midst of this conversation, I found the ground had been rushed by the mob, and our team was being surrounded. I at once returned to the wickets, and in defending Coulthard from being attacked was struck by some 'larrikin' with a stick. Hornby immediately seized this fellow, and in taking him to the pavilion was struck in the face by a would-be deliverer of the 'larrikin', and had his shirt nearly torn off his back. He, however, conveyed his prisoner to the pavilion in triumph.

For some thirty minutes or so I was surrounded by a howling mob, resisting the entreaties of partisans and friends to return to the pavilion until the field was cleared, on the grounds that if our side left the field the other eleven could claim the match. I don't suppose that they would have done so, but I determined to obey the laws of cricket, and may add that for one hour and a half I never left the ground, surrounded during the whole time, with two short intervals, by some hundreds of people. At about five o'clock the crowd was cleared off somehow. I then took the opinion of the Eleven as to changing the umpire, and it was decided nem. con. that there were no grounds for the objection, and that we should decline to change him. I informed Gregory of the decision, whereupon he said, 'Then the game is at end'. On Coulthard appearing from the pavilion groans arose from the crowd, and at the same moment it began to break the ring again. The two batsmen who had been standing at the wickets returned to the pavilion, re-called, I afterwards found, by Gregory, but at the time I thought possibly because of the threatened irruption of the crowd. I turned to Mr Barton, the NSW Eleven umpire, and asked if I could not claim the match according to the laws of cricket. His answer was, 'I shall give it you in two minutes' time if the batsmen do not return'. I said to him, 'I won't claim it yet. I'll give the other side every chance of reconsidering a decision arrived at, I believe, unadvisedly, and in a moment of passion. Please ask Gregory what he means to do.' On returning Mr Barton informed me that Gregory would send two men to the wickets - a curiously sudden change of mind I think you will allow. However, before the batsmen could appear the crowd had covered the ground for the second time. After some twenty minutes it was cleared for the second time also. A. Bannerman and Thompson then took their places at the wickets, but before a ball could be bowled the crowd broke in for the third and last time. I remained on the ground until the time for drawing the stumps, surrounded as before. Beyond slyly kicking me once or twice the mob behaved very well, their one cry being, 'Change your umpire'. And now for the cause of this disturbance, not unexpected, I may say, by us, for we have heard accounts of former matches played by English teams.

It was started and fomented by professional betting men in the pavilion, members of the association. The disgraceful part of the business is that other members of the association - one a member of the legislative assembly - aided and abetted the bookmakers in raising the cry. I blame the NSW Eleven for not objecting to Coulthard before the match began, if they had reason to suppose him incompetent to fulfil his duties. I blame the members of the association (many, of course, must be excepted) for their discourtesy and uncricket like behaviour to their guests; and I blame the committee and others of the association for ever permitting betting, but this last does not, of course, apply to our match only. I am bound to say they did all in their power to quell the disturbance. I don't think anything would have happened if A. Bannerman had been run out instead of Murdoch, but the latter, besides being a great favourite, deservedly I think, was the popular idol of the moment through having carried his bat out in the first innings.

As a contrast to the reception the Australian Eleven met with after beating the MCC at Lord's, I may say that when we won the match on Monday, hardly a cheer was given us by the ring. The occupants of the pavilion acknowledged our victory. They are capital winners out here, but I am afraid I can't apply the same adjective to them as losers. To conclude, I cannot describe to you the horror we felt that such an insult should have been passed on us, and that the game we love so well, and wish to see honoured, supported, and played in an honest and manly way everywhere, should receive such desecration. I can use no milder word. The game was finished on Monday without interruption. Coulthard had made two mistakes in our first innings, one favouring us, the other the opposite. Murdoch's decision was considered by cover-point and point to be a good one, and I repeat that the NSW Eleven had no grounds whatever for raising an objection. We never expect to see such a scene of disorder again - we can never forget this one.

I remain, Yours sincerely

February 11 - HARRIS

William (Billy) Lloyd Murdoch (born 18 October 1854 in Sandhurst, Victoria - died 18 February 1911 in Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian cricketer, probably best remembered for captaining the Australian tours to England in 1880, 1882 (when the Ashes legend was born), and 1884. ... Alec Bannerman Alexander Chalmers Bannerman (March 21, 1854 in Sydney, New South Wales - September 19, 1924 in Sydney) was an Australian cricketer who played in 28 Tests between 1879 and 1893. ... This article is about the cricket term. ... An innings, or inning, is a segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably baseball and cricket – during which a side takes its turn to bat. ... David William Gregory (April 15, 1845 in Fairy Meadow, New South Wales - August 4, 1919 in Turramurra, New South Wales) was an Australian cricketer of the 19th century. ... In sports, an umpire is an official appointed to rule on plays and procedure. ... Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia with a population of almost 1. ... The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. ... Template:Infobox Albert Hornby Albert Neilson Hornby (10 February 1847 – 17 December 1925), better known as Monkey Hornby, or to his players as The Boss was the England cricket captain who lost the test match at home in 1882 against the Australian cricket team that gave rise to the Ashes. ... The laws of cricket are a set of rules framed by the Marylebone Cricket Club which serve to standardise the format of cricket matches across the world to ensure uniformity and fairness. ... Cricket ball A cricket ball is a hard, solid ball used to play cricket. ...

Reply by the New South Wales Cricket Association

The New South Wales Cricket Association were outraged by Lord Harris's letter and got their honorary secretary, a Mr JM Gibson, to write to the Daily Telegraph in reply: The New South Wales Cricket Association (NSWCA) is a sporting club who administer cricket in New South Wales and particularly the Sydney Cricket Ground. ...

Richard Driver, President of the New South Wales Cricket Association

A few days ago a letter from Lord Harris, published in your issue of April 1, appeared in the Colonial Press. That letter dilated upon a lamentable disturbance which occurred at Moore Park, near this city, during a match played between his lordship's eleven and an eleven of New South Wales, on February 7, 8, and 10 last. Upon the appearance of the letter in our newspapers a feeling of indignation was generally expressed, and within a few hours a requisition influentially signed was presented, calling on me to convene a special general meeting of the New South Wales Cricket Association for the purpose of considering the letter and comments made upon it in some of the London papers. A meeting was accordingly convened, and took place this evening. The President, Mr Richard Driver, MP, occupied the chair, in the presence of an unusually large attendance of members. The letter referred to having been read, and the President, Sir George Innes, MLC, Mr M. H. Stephen, QC, Mr G. H. Reid, and Mr Richard Teece having addressed the meeting, it was unanimously resolved that I should ask you to publish the following statement, in correction of the account transmitted by Lord Harris, which, principally upon the following grounds, is universally regarded here as both inaccurate and ungenerous.

When Lord Harris prepared his letter of February 11, he was fully aware of the following facts:

1. That on the previous day a deputation from the association, consisting of our president, some of the vice-presidents, officers, and members waited upon him, and expressed profound sorrow and regret for the conduct of the unruly portion of the crowd, and Lord Harris was pleased to assure the deputation that he did not hold the association in any way responsible for what had occurred.

2. That immediately after the disorder on the cricket ground the public and the press were loud in their indignation at the occurrence, and assured our visitors of their utmost sympathy; and the team received similar marks of good feeling from all quarters.

3. That betting on cricket matches is strictly prohibited by the trustees of the ground, so far as it can be so prohibited, and large placards to that effect have always been kept posted throughout the pavilion and its inclosures.

Lord Harris, by what we feel to be a most ungenerous suppression of these facts and others, has led the British public to suppose that in New South Wales, to quote his own words, 'a party of gentlemen travelling through these colonies for the purpose of playing a few friendly games of cricket should have been insulted and subjected to indignities', whilst the press and inhabitants of Sydney neither showed surprise, indignation, nor regret. We cannot allow a libel upon the people of New South Wales so utterly unfounded as this to pass without challenge. The country upon which such a reproach could be fastened would be unworthy of a place among civilised communities, and in the imputation is especially odious to Australians, who claim to have maintained the manly, generous, and hospitable characteristics of the British race.

Having shown that for what actually occurred the fullest acknowledgments were made, it is now right to point out that the misconduct of those who took possession of the wickets has been exaggerated. So popular amongst our people is the game of cricket that multitudes of all ages and classes flock to a great match. They watch these contests with an interest as intense as any felt in England over a great political question. Lord Harris is, we believe, the first English cricketer who failed to observe that they applaud good cricket on either side, and, so far from our crowds being the bad losers he represents, the English Elevens who have visited New South Wales were never made more of than when they defeated the local team. Previous decisions of the professional brought from Melbourne to act as umpire for the English Eleven had created real, though suppressed dissatisfaction, and one, giving Lord Harris a second 'life', was openly admitted by his lordship to be a mistake; and when Mr Murdoch, the hero of the hour, who had carried his bat through in the first innings, was at the crisis of the game given 'run out' by what a large proportion of the spectators, both in the pavilion and round the inclosure, as well as the batsman himself, whether rightly or wrongly, took to be a most unfair decision, the excitement and indignation of a section of the spectators, led by the juvenile element, unhappily broke through restraint. Only once before in New South Wales was a cricket ground rushed, and then, as in the present instance, the crowd was seized with a conviction of foul play. But the present demonstration was entirely against the umpire, whom Lord Harris still considers competent, whilst admitting 'he had made two mistakes in our innings'. It certainly was not against our gallant visitors. The only cry was 'Change your umpire!' and the mob voluntarily left the ground more than once in the hope that that would be done. The betting men to whom Lord Harris alludes, and of whom only one or two were present, were not members of this association at all, and it is completely unjust to assign the demonstration to any such agency. Bad as it was, it sprang from no mercenary motive.

Sydney, June 4th.

Image File history File links Richard_Driver. ... Image File history File links Richard_Driver. ... Richard Driver Richard Driver (born September 16, 1829 in Cabramatta, New South Wales, died July 8, 1880 in Randwick, New South Wales) was a Sydney solicitor, politician and cricket administrator. ... Richard Driver Richard Driver (born September 16, 1829 in Cabramatta, New South Wales, died July 8, 1880 in Randwick, New South Wales) was a Sydney solicitor, politician and cricket administrator. ... Melbourne is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-largest city in Australia (after Sydney), with a population of approximately 3. ... Run out is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket. ...

Spofforth's view

Fred Spofforth, Australia's Demon bowler, did comment on it years later in an 1891 cricket magazine interview, but with a different slant on the cause. His view was that the English team were unfortunate victims of intercolonial rivalry: Frederick Fred Spofforth (born in Balmain, Sydney on 9 September 1853, died in Surrey, England on 4 June 1926) - also called The Demon, was arguably the Australian cricket teams first and best pace bowler of the 19th century. ...

Then the crowd could stand it no longer and rushed on to the field, refusing to budge until the umpire was removed. I have no wish to dwell on this painful occurrence, but I should like to point out that the feeling aroused was almost entirely due to the spirit of the rivalry between the Colonies ... The umpire was Victorian, and the party spirit in the crowd was too strong, "Let an Englishman stand umpire," they cried; "we don't mind any of them. We won't have a Victorian." There was not the slightest animosity against Lord Harris or any of his team; the whole disturbance was based on the fact that the offender was a Victorian. But Lord Harris stood by his umpire; and as a result, the match had to be abandoned till the following day.

Aftermath of the riot

Immediately after the game, Lord Harris took his side away from Sydney, cancelling the planned return match against a representative Australian side that would have become the fourth-ever Test match. However, there was a farewell dinner during which Lord Harris made a placating speech. The New South Wales Cricket Association pressed charges against two men who were charged with "having participated in the disorder". Richard Driver who appeared for the prosecution told the court that "the inmates of the Pavilion who had initiated the disturbance, including a well-known bookmaker of Victoria who was at the time ejected, had had their fees of membership returned to them, and they would never again be admitted to the ground". The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the two men "expressed regret for what had occurred, and pleaded guilty" and "the Bench fined them 40 shillings, and to pay 21 shillings professional costs of the court". The New South Wales Cricket Association (NSWCA) is a sporting club who administer cricket in New South Wales and particularly the Sydney Cricket Ground. ... Richard Driver Richard Driver (born September 16, 1829 in Cabramatta, New South Wales, died July 8, 1880 in Randwick, New South Wales) was a Sydney solicitor, politician and cricket administrator. ...

Impact on later tours

An Australian side captained by Billy Murdoch toured England in 1880; it was guaranteed to get a frosty welcome, and it found it difficult to find good opponents, with most county sides turning them down, although Yorkshire played two unofficial matches against them. There was a lot of bad will, which was exacerbated by them coming to England at short notice, and to some extent, unexpectedly. In his autobiography Lord Harris wrote, "They asked no-one's goodwill in the matter, and it was felt this was a discourteous way of bursting in on our arrangements; and the result was they played scarcely any counties and were not generally recognised. We felt we had to make a protest against too frequent visits". An attempt to arrange a game against an English XI for the Cricketers' Fund was turned down, and WG Grace's attempt to arrange a game with them at Lord's was rebuffed by the Marylebone Cricket Club. William (Billy) Lloyd Murdoch (born 18 October 1854 in Sandhurst, Victoria - died 18 February 1911 in Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian cricketer, probably best remembered for captaining the Australian tours to England in 1880, 1882 (when the Ashes legend was born), and 1884. ... Yorkshire County Cricket Club is a county cricket club based at Headingley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. ... William Gilbert Grace (July 18, 1848–October 23, 1915) was an English cricketer who, by his extraordinary skills, made cricket perhaps the first modern spectator sport, and who developed most of the techniques of modern batting. ... The Media Centre at Lords Cricket Ground Lords Cricket Ground is a cricket ground in St Johns Wood in London. ... Lords 2005 The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), founded in 1787, is a private members club and was the original governing body of cricket in England and across the world. ...

Despite it being Murdoch's wicket that started the riot, the English public were more sympathetic towards him than Gregory, and although the Australians played against weak opposition, including many XVIIIs, they attracted big crowds. Eventually Lord Harris was asked by the secretary of Surrey, CA Alcock to put together a representative side to play the Australians. Although Lord Harris was generous in agreeing to lead the side, three cricketers who played in the infamous Sydney game, Monkey Hornby, Emmett and Ulyett, refused to play. But Harris assembled a strong team, which included the three Grace brothers. Australia, who had not faced strong opposition and were without star bowler Fred Spofforth went down by five wickets. 45,000 watched the match. This game, now recognised as the Fourth Test is more important than its result, as the custom of cricket tours between England and Australia was cemented. Surrey County Cricket Club (SCCC) is an English first-class cricket team, based at The Oval cricket ground in London. ... External link Cricinfo page on Lord Harris Categories: Cricket stubs | 1851 births | 1932 deaths | Cricketers | English cricketers | Oxford University cricketers | Kent cricketers | English batsmen | English test cricketers | English cricket captains ... Template:Infobox Albert Hornby Albert Neilson Hornby (10 February 1847 – 17 December 1925), better known as Monkey Hornby, or to his players as The Boss was the England cricket captain who lost the test match at home in 1882 against the Australian cricket team that gave rise to the Ashes. ... Frederick Fred Spofforth (born in Balmain, Sydney on 9 September 1853, died in Surrey, England on 4 June 1926) - also called The Demon, was arguably the Australian cricket teams first and best pace bowler of the 19th century. ... Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. ...

Notes

1. ^  Australia vs England at Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2-4 Jan 1879. Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 May 2005.
2. ^  Scorecard of Harris XI v New South Wales, 24-28 Jan 1879. Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 May 2005
3. ^  Scorecard of Harris XI v New South Wales, 7-10 February, 7-10 1879, the match where the riot took place. Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 May 2005
4. ^  The Sydney Morning Herald - 10 February 1879

The Sydney Morning Herald is a major Australian broadsheet newspaper published daily in Australias oldest and most populous city, Sydney. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with February_10%2C_2003. ... 1879 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

See also

Cricket Portal

• History of Test cricket (to 1883)
• Bodyline
• Violence in sports

Image File history File links Portal. ... For more coverage of cricket, see the cricket portal. ... Bill Woodfull evades a Bodyline ball. ... Violence in sports involves intentional aggressive violence. ...

References

• Cricinfo Match Scorecard
• Cricinfo Tour Index
• Wisden Anthology - 1864-1900 edited by Benny Green ISBN 0-356-10732-9
• The Cricket Captains of England by Alan Gibson ISBN 1-85145-395-4
• Cricinfo page on George Coulthard
• The "Demon" Spofforth by Richard Cashman ISBN 0-86840-004-1
• Australian Journal of Public Administration
• The Story of Cricket in Australia by Jack Egan ISBN 0-333-439095-6
• A Social History of English Cricket by Derek Birley ISBN 1-85410-941-3
• Full Points Footy
• The Complete History of Cricket Tours at Home & Abroad by Peter Wynne Thomas
• Lord Harris's Team in Australia 1878-79, The Diary of Vernon Royle by Vernon Royle, edited by JW McKenzie ISBN 0-947821-10-4
• A History of Australian Cricket by Chris Harte with Bernard Whimpress ISBN 0-233-05130-9