BBC SPORT | CRICKET | Ninety years of neutrality

With the West Indies taking on Pakistan on neutral turf in Sharjah, BBC Sport Online looks back at the first ever Test matches on neutral ground - almost 90 years ago.

Many are describing the match in Sharjah between Pakistan and West Indies as the first neutral Test series.

Many feel that triangular tournaments are the product of one-day cricket in the last 20 years and that the calendar has only recently been packed with Test matches.

But in 1912, the first ever international triangular tournament was played in England, including touring sides from South Africa and Australia.

The brainchild of South African businessman Sir Abe Bailey, it saw nine Tests in the English summer, and included three matches between the tourists, at Old Trafford, Lord's and Trent Bridge.

Tournament standings

England P6, W4, L0, D2
Australia P6, W2, L1, D3
South Africa P6, W0, L5, D1

South Africa were led by Frank Mitchell, a 40-year-old Yorkshireman who began his Test career with England before emigrating to the Transvaal.

The first day of the series, and the first ever Test on neutral soil, saw 464 runs scored, enough to keep the Mancunian crowd entertained.

But 448 of those were made by Australia, thanks to centuries from Charles Kelleway and Warren Bardsley.

On the second day, Jimmy Matthews took a hat-trick in each innings - the first and only time this has happened in a Test - as South Africa were beaten by an innings and 88 runs.

The men from the Republic fared little better as the tournament progressed, victims of an innings defeat to the hosts at Lord's and 174 runs at Headingley.

England batsman CB Fry
CB Fry led England to victory in the tournament final
And, although they at least forced Australia to bat twice on their return to Lord's, Mitchell's men missed nine chances in the field to concede a 127-run deficit, eventually going down by 10 wickets.

Just 2,365 paying spectators greeted the arrival of the two touring sides in Nottingham on a rain-hit Bank Holiday weekend, and South Africa's first innings lead was for nought as the weather intervened.

But, despite the bad weather and the unimpressive South Africans, the tournament was set up nicely for its final game - England against Australia at The Oval - with the winner coming out as champions.

To be sure of a result, the match was designated timeless, but CB Fry's second innings heroics made sure that only four days were needed.

The ball turned viciously as early as Australia's first innings, as they chased England's 245.

And Frank Wooley was the beneficiary, taking five for 29 with his slow left-armers as the tourists were bowled out for 111.

Wasim Akram's Pakistan triumphed in Dhaka
No other Englishman made more than 32, but Fry drove Australia's spinners around the South London ground, making 79 in England's 175.

Wooley took a second five-for, and Lancashire opening bowler Harry Dean four for 19 as Syd Gregory's men were bowled out for just 65 - 244 runs short of victory.

It was not until the advent of the limited overs game that the triangular concept was used again, but the 1999 Asia Cup saw India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka do battle.

Tests were home-and-away but Wasim Akram's Pakistan defeated an injury-hit Sri Lankan side in the final in Dhaka - the first Test on neutral ground for 77 years.


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