# English cricket team in Australia in 1924–25

Marylebone Cricket Club organised the England cricket team's tour of Australia in the 1924–25 season. Australia won the Ashes series 4–1.

## Overview

The series was the first Test series to be hosted in Australia for four years, with Australia holding the Ashes courtesy of their 3-0 victory away during the 1921 Ashes series. Herbie Collins, a compulsive gambler who had been known to run card games and spend time in Monte Carlo during the 1921 tour was Australian captain. While Arthur Gilligan, a Cambridge educated man from a wealthy family was the English captain. On the field, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford and future Australian captain Vic Richardson debuted, along with five other debutants. Australia won the series 4-1 and were considered the better team overall, although were lucky to win the 3rd test, only besting England by 11 runs. Herbert Sutcliffe was considered the best batter of the series despite his teams losing effort, scoring 734 runs at an average of 81.55, including four centuries.

## Test series summary
### First Test

* 19–27 December 1924 (Timeless Test) Scorecard
* Australia won by 193 runs Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Umpires: AC Jones and AP Williams
* Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
* 21 and 25 December were taken as rest days.
* WH Ponsford, AJ Richardson and VY Richardson (AUS), and AP Freeman (ENG) made their Test debuts.
The first Test included a record 127 run tenth wicket partnership between Johnny Taylor and Arthur Mailey which stood as Australia's best for that wicket until Phillip Hughes and Ashton Agar set a new world record by scoring 163 for the tenth wicket against England in the First Test at Trent Bridge in July 2013.

### Second Test

* 1–8 January 1925 (Timeless Test) Scorecard
* Australia won by 81 runs Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Umpires: RM Crockett and C Garing
* Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
* 4 January was taken as a rest day
* AEV Hartkopf (AUS) made his Test debut.

### Third Test

* 16–23 January 1925 (Timeless Test) Scorecard
* Australia won by 11 runs Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Umpires: RM Crockett and DA Elder
* Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
* 18 January was taken as a rest day
* WW Whysall (ENG) made his Test debut.

### Fourth Test

* 13–18 February 1925 (Timeless Test) Scorecard
* England won by an innings and 29 runs Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Umpires: RM Crockett and DA Elder
* England won the toss and elected to bat.
* 15 February was taken as a rest day.

### Fifth Test

* 27 February–4 March 1925 (Timeless Test) Scorecard
* Australia won by 307 runs Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Umpires: RM Crockett and DA Elder
* Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
* 1 March was taken as a rest day
* AF Kippax and CV Grimmett (both AUS) made their Test debuts.

## Ceylon

The English team had a stopover in Colombo en route to Australia and played a one-day single-innings match there against the Ceylon national team, which at that time did not have Test status.

## Controversies

Off the field, English captain Gilligan was investigated by the Commonwealth Investigative Branch due to his fascist links, as an active member of the British Fascists. Gilligan attempted to recruit for the organisation and establish branches throughout the country, although no negative outcomes occurred for Gilligan.
The third test was controversial, as Australian captain Collins well known for his gambling, was reported to have been offered £100 to throw the match. Despite his denials, including vowing to "throw the man downstairs". Collin's bowling choices on the final day were questioned as Australia only won by 11 runs.