After the confusion of the winter that had seen not one but two England sides tour Australia, it was back to a more familiar format for the Ashes series of 1888. England came from behind to win a three-match series, something they were not to do again until the visit of the West Indies in 2020!
All that seemed a long way off after what was a very low-scoring first Test match, at Lord’s.
Australia batted first and were all out for 116, Percy McDonald and Jack Blackman both scoring 22, and Bobby Peel taking 4-36. That was the highest score made by any side in the match, as England were bowled out for just 53, Charlie Turner claiming 5-17.
Australia, in their second innings, could only muster 60, with Peel taking 4-14. Set just 122 to win, England were skittled out for just 62, J.J. Ferris taking 5-26 for Australia.
The low scoring continued in the second Test match, at The Oval, where Australia made just 80 in their first innings, Johnny Briggs the pick of the bowlers this time round. However, England at last mustered a decent score, making 317, Bobby Abel top-scoring with 70.
Needing 237 to make England bat again, Australia were then bowled out for 100, Billy Barnes this time starring with the ball as he took 5-32.
The decider was played at Old Trafford, Manchester, where England won the toss and decided to bat. W.G. Grace made 38, but with Charlie Turner claiming another five wickets, England were dismissed for 172. In reply, though, Australia were dismissed for only 81, Peel taking an impressive 7-31.
Under the prevailing rules at the time, the tourists were asked to follow on. Needing 91 just to level the scores, they were bowled out for only 70, Peel completing his own impressive series with 4-37.
England had won by an innings and 21 runs and took the series that was noticeable for the number of low scores and the dominance of the bowlers.