Billy Midwinter's 5/78 — Australia's First Test Five-for, March 1877

Midwinter was a Gloucestershire native who had emigrated to Bendigo as a child. By 1877 he was playing for Victoria and was Gloucestershire's overseas pro in the English summer.

England, replying to Australia's 245, were 109/4 when Midwinter came on. He bowled long, accurate spells from the southern end through the rest of the innings.

Midwinter was 26, born in St Briavels, Gloucestershire, and emigrated to Australia as a boy. A tall, strong, round-arm medium-pacer who batted usefully in the lower middle order, he was picked for the All-Australian XI in March 1877 alongside the Sydney professionals. Bowling tirelessly through the long English first innings, he took the wickets of Selby, Charlwood, Armitage, Lillywhite and Hill to finish with 5/78 in 54 four-ball overs. It was the first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Midwinter scored 5 and 17 with the bat. The most extraordinary part of his career was still to come: in 1878 he toured England with the Australian XI, in 1881-82 he played for England against Australia in Australia, and over his career he represented Australia in eight Tests and England in four. No other cricketer has played Tests for both countries.

“Midwinter was the strongest man on either side; he could bowl all day.”

Midwinter played in the second Test at Melbourne and on the 1878 tour of England, then was famously 'kidnapped' by W.G. Grace at Lord's in June 1878 to play for Gloucestershire instead of the Australians at Surrey. He represented England on the 1881-82 tour of Australia before returning to the Australian side.