Alec Bannerman And Jack Blackham - Australian Cricketers

A vintage illustration, featuring Australian cricketers Alexander Bannerman (left) and John McCarthy Blackham, from the contemporary journal Sporting Mirror published in London, circa 1882. Alex Bannerman was a member of the first Australian team in England in 1878, and will be remembered as long as cricket is played. After his first trip he paid five other visits to England, coming over with the teams of 1880, 1882, 1884, 1888 and 1893. He had his most vivid experiences in England in connection with matches in which he did not personally meet with much success. He was not only on the side that in 1878 made the fame of Australian cricket forever by beating MCC at Lord's in one afternoon, but he took part in the Test Match in this country at The Oval in 1880, and also in the unforgettable match on the same ground in 1882, when the Australians beat us by seven runs. Indeed, the catch -- quite an easy one -- by which he got rid of WG Grace in the last innings proved the turning-point of that tremendous struggle. By virtue of his capacities as a wicketkeeper in the very early days of Australian first-class cricket, Jack Blackham is widely reputed to have been one of the finest cricketers that his nation has ever produced. In an era in which the flimsy texture of wicketkeeping gloves provided little protection from the consistent pounding of balls into a wearer's hands, Blackham displayed extraordinary skill and it is said that he rarely failed to seize an opportunity to effect a dismissal in his position behind the wicket. He was so competent that he was regarded as Australia's first choice wicketkeeper for a period of no less than 18 years, occupying the role from the time of his country's first ever Test - in 1877. Unlike many of his peers or successors, Blackham was just as happy to stand up to the stumps to pace bowlers as he was to spinners. He was also a stubborn batsman in the lower order, and played many valuable innings. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)