Toss: England. International debuts: A. R. Caddick, G. P. Thorpe; M. L. Hayden.

The first serious contest of the tour ended in a tense finish and a win for Australia off the penultimate ball. England had needed seven from the final over but the last pair could manage only two before finishing up at the same end. Australia's victory was founded on the bowling of McDermott, who found form far above anything he had shown in the preliminaries, and Steve Waugh, whose shrewd changes of pace in the closing stages upset England's calculations.

Taylor and Mark Waugh dominated the morning session but Australia lost ground to four catches in quick succession at square leg. England began raggedly themselves but recovered with a stand of 127 between Hick and Fairbrother. An intelligent innings by Thorpe in difficult circumstances was not quite enough. Cork, Lathwell and Ramprakash (brought in as cover for Fairbrother) were the England squad members left out of the team; Australia had unexpectedly played Hayden ahead of Martyn. Ted Dexter, the chairman of England's selectors, was obliged to watch the game from a hospital bed after back surgery.

Man of the Match: C. J. McDermott. Attendance: 20,613; receipts £461,400.

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