OTD | The first double century stand in Test cricket was completed, at The Oval in 1884

Billy Murdoch was born on 18th October 1854 and passed away on 18th February 1911. Billy Murdoch had a wonderful career for Australia and was the team captain. Murdoch was one of the most well-known wicket-keeper batters of his period and served as Australia’s second captain for the Test series. Playing mostly front-foot and with an impeccable off-side style, he was one of the few cricket players to have represented two nations in a Test match, having played for England against South Africa in Cape Town in 1892.

Murdoch appeared in 19 Test matches overall, scoring two hundred and amassing 908 runs at an average of 31.31. In 1875, Murdoch, a highly respected right-handed hitter at the time and Australia’s best wicketkeeper made his first-class debut. He participated in the second-ever Test match, which took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1877 against England. His two Test hundreds were 153 not out in the inaugural Test in in 1880 at The Oval and 211 at the same venue four years later came more often in England, the home of his finest Test exploits. While the later performance represented the first double-century in Test cricket history, the previous score marked the first time a skipper had scored a century in the format.

Murdoch was a better off-side player, with some of the finest drives and cut strokes of his day; but, his leg-side play was said to be worse, and he was not as effective against well-spun bowling as he may have been. Additionally, he was seen to be uncoordinated when facing elite pace bowlers on challenging tracks; in ideal circumstances, though, his batting frequently followed suit. In 1890, he went to England once more, and while he improved on the season’s averages, he was unable to recapture his peak form. After moving to England, he became eligible for Sussex and led the county for several seasons. 

Murdoch passed away after lunch on the second day of the 1911 MCG Test between Australia and South Africa, which he was witnessing. His body was brought back to England and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in London. 

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