- England vs Australia – Sydney, 1894/95
This was the first Test of the 1894/95 Ashes and the series couldn’t have commenced in a more dramatic way for sure. A point beforehand that must be noted is that this was a six-day game and not a five day Test as the format is now. Australia batted first and went on to amass a colossal 586 on board in 172.3 overs. The visitors couldn’t do much in their first innings as they were done and dusted for 325. After being asked to follow on, England made 437, thanks to a century from opener Albert Ward. Needing 177 to win, the hosts fell short by an agonizing margin of 10 runs as the first such Test was witnessed.