The Ashes series between England and Australia had been tightly contested affairs to date, but the same could not be said of the Australian visit in 1886, with England winning all three tests.
The closest contest was the first Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, where Australia won the toss and chose to bat first.
Opener Sammy Jones made 87 and Affie Jarvis 45, but they lacked support from the rest of the batsmen, as they were bowled out for 205. In reply, England managed a modest first-innings lead by scoring 223.
Batting again and Australia were skittled out for 123, Dick Barlow claiming 7-44. Set 106 to win, England made heavy weather of it, losing six wickets in the process.
It was off to Lord’s for the second Test, where England batted first, having won the toss. And the star of the show for them was captain Arthur Shrewsbury. He scored 164, while Billy Barnes made 58. England made 353, and then they bowled out Australia for just 121, Johnny Briggs taking 5-25.
Australia followed on, but managed scarcely any better second time round. They were all out for 126, Briggs this time taking 6-45. England won by an innings and 106 runs.
The teams made the short trip to The Oval for the third Test, but the outcome was no better for the tourists. Again England won the toss, and this time, it was W. G. Grace who made the headlines with the bat. He made 170 and W.W. 94, as England racked up 434.
Australia then suffered a major batting collapse and were all for a paltry 68, with England using just two bowlers. George Lohmann took 7-36, while there were three wickets for Briggs.
Australia’s second batting effort was marginally better, George Giffen top-scoring with 47, as they made 149. Lohmann took five more wickets in their second innings, while Briggs claimed three more.
England had thrashed them by an innings and 217 runs.