Greatest Cricket Moments

Spofforth's Hat-trick — Test Cricket's First, Melbourne, 2 January 1879

1879-01-02Australia vs EnglandThird Test (only Test of the tour), Melbourne, 2-4 January 18792 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

On 2 January 1879 Fred Spofforth took the first hat-trick in Test cricket — dismissing Vernon Royle bowled, Francis MacKinnon bowled (first ball of his Test career) and Tom Emmett caught — at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. England were 26 for some when the hat-trick fell. Spofforth went on to take 13 for 110 in the match, and Australia won by 10 wickets.

Background

MacKinnon, the 28th Chief of MacKinnon and a Scottish chieftain, had come on the tour as the most amateur of amateurs. Royle was a famously brilliant cover fielder. Emmett was Yorkshire's left-arm chief.

Build-Up

England were 26 when Royle joined Charlwood after the early loss of Hornby and Webbe. Spofforth was bowling fast and full at the southern end.

What Happened

The third Test in cricket history was the only Test of Lord Harris's 1878-79 tour. Australia won the toss, batted, and made 256, with Alec Bannerman and Tom Horan the chief contributors. England's reply collapsed almost from the start. Spofforth, bowling fast from the southern end, removed Vernon Royle (the famous Lancashire amateur and Eton parson) bowled. Francis MacKinnon, the 28th Chief of MacKinnon and a Cambridge Blue, was bowled first ball — his first delivery in Test cricket and almost his last. Tom Emmett, the seasoned Yorkshire all-rounder, was caught at slip off the next ball. Spofforth had Test cricket's first hat-trick. He finished with 6/48 in 25 four-ball overs and 7/62 in the second innings — the first 13-wicket Test match haul, all in a single Test fixture. England, set 99, were dismissed for 105 (after Australia were given 4 byes). Australia won by 10 wickets. Spofforth's match figures stood as the best in Test cricket until Tom Richardson's 13 wickets in 1894-95.

Key Moments

1

Vernon Royle bowled by Spofforth

2

Francis MacKinnon bowled first ball — Test debutant golden duck

3

Tom Emmett caught at slip next ball — hat-trick complete

4

Spofforth ends with 6/48

5

Spofforth 7/62 in second innings — 13/110 in match

6

Australia win by 10 wickets

Timeline

1 Jan 1879

Australia 256 in first innings

2 Jan 1879

Spofforth's hat-trick: Royle, MacKinnon, Emmett

2 Jan 1879

England 113; Spofforth 6/48

3-4 Jan 1879

Spofforth 7/62; England 105 chasing 99 — Australia win by 10 wickets

Notable Quotes

“Spofforth bowled with a fire and a precision that none of us had ever encountered.”

— Tom Emmett, in his recollections of the 1879 Test

Aftermath

MacKinnon never played another Test (one of the worst Test debuts in history). Royle played one more in 1879 and never represented England again. Emmett retained his place. Spofforth missed the next two Tests through injury and was unavailable for the 1880 Oval Test, but his Melbourne 13/110 cemented his status as the world's leading bowler.

⚖️ The Verdict

The first hat-trick in Test cricket. Spofforth 13/110 in the only Test of Lord Harris's tour — and Australia's first Test win at home since the inaugural fixture.

Legacy & Impact

The first Test hat-trick. Spofforth's Melbourne match figures stood for fifteen years; the hat-trick names — Royle, MacKinnon, Emmett — are part of cricket's roll of bowling firsts. It was also the first ten-wicket Test match haul (followed soon by his second, at the Oval in 1882).

Frequently Asked Questions

Was it really the first hat-trick in Test cricket?▾
Yes. The third Test in history produced the first Test hat-trick — only nine Tests had been played before the next one (Bailey's, 1891-92).
Did MacKinnon ever play another Test?▾
No. He never played another Test for England. He returned to managing the MacKinnon estates in Scotland and lived to be 98.

Tags

#fred-spofforth#hat-trick#first-test-hat-trick#1879#melbourne#lord-harris#vernon-royle#francis-mackinnon#tom-emmett

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