Looking back at how each team performed in their first ever Test match

#2: South Africa against England, Port Elizabeth

England cricket team In South Africa

In 1889, South Africa hosted England in their inaugural Test series (2-match series). Confidently deciding to bat first, the South African team were dismissed for a paltry score of 84.

England, in their 1st innings, scored 148 and gained a crucial 64-run lead. Unable to manage the England pace-attack, South Africa were bundled out for 129 in their 2nd innings. With 66 runs to win, the England opener Abel guided them to an 8 wicket win.

At last, England went on to win the series 2-0 and White-washed the South African team in their backyard.

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#1: Australia vs. England, Melbourne

Australian cricket team

In 1877, The first test match in the history of Test cricket was played between 'the founders of the sport' in Melbourne.

Batting first, the Australian opener Bannerman scored a resilient century (165 runs) to help Australia gain a lead of 49 runs at the end of 1st innings (Aus 245, Eng- 196). In the 2nd innings, the timeless game was hard-fought equally between both the teams and finally the Aussies emerged as a winner, claiming the game by 45 runs.

Australia is the only team in the history of test cricket to win their inaugural test match. After 100 years, a memorial Test match was conducted between these two nations in 1977. Co-incidentally, Australia went on to win the match with the same margin of 45 runs.