The Australians were appearing in Ireland for the first time since 1912. They were playing two matches, a one-day match in Belfast and subsequently a two-day match in Dublin. Boucher was unable to play in this game due to sciatica but despite his absence the visitors were dismissed for only 145. The stage was set for a sensational Irish victory but Ward and O'Reilly bundled the Irish batsmen out for 84. The match was played in blazing sunshine before a crowd of 4000 spectators, who contributed a gate of £400.

The Irish bowling was excellent. James Macdonald, the Irish captain, produced what was probably the greatest performance of his career. In 16 overs, six of which were maidens, he accounted for Barnes, White, Fingleton, O'Reilly and Ward for only 24 runs. He flighted the ball skilfully and no-one was comfortable against him. The Aussies freely acknowledged Macdonald's skill and Arthur Mailly, a former Test player who was travelling with the team as a journalist, said it was the best piece of left-arm bowling he had seen during the season. Ingram was also excellent as his figures of 4-46 show. The attack was backed by keen fielding. Apart from TJ Macdonald, who spent 1¼ hours over 28, and to a minor degree Ingram, the batting was below expectation. O'Reilly and Ward bowling nine overs each were too good for the Irish batsmen. Tom McMurray arrived late and JS Pollock fielded for him. So Pollock's introduction to international cricket was as a substitute fielder.

In the Australian innings Badcock and Barnes had 30 up in even time but at 34 Badcock was lbw to Ingram for 23. Macdonald changed his bowling frequently and it was Morgan who took the next wicket, having Ben Barnett caught at mid-off for five. Macdonald himself came on at 60 and had White caught off his second ball. One run later Barnes was out caught at slip for 27 by TJ Macdonald off his brother, who now had two for none. McCabe joined Waite and their stand of 53 was the best of the innings. The runs came in 38 minutes and then Ingram bowled McCabe via his pads. At lunch the score was 116-5. Waite was next to leave. His 30 was top score of the match. He was lbw to Ingram at 125. At this stage Australia's usual opening pair, Fingleton and Brown, were together but at 136 Macdonald got Fingleton lbw with a dropping full toss. O'Reilly was brilliantly caught by Billingsley, Ward was out for a duck and finally Ingram bowled Brown to end the innings.

TJ Macdonald and McMurray opened for Ireland. McCabe using the new ball accounted for the latter at nine while at 17 O'Reilly had James Macdonald lbw with the fourth ball of his first over. In his third over O'Reilly bowled Shearer but then Ingram came to the rescue by helping Macdonald to add 31 for the fourth wicket. Both left at the same total, 60, and after this blow there was no doubt about the outcome of the game. Ingram was caught at cover by Fingleton off Ward, the first of three catches by Fingleton in this position, and Tom Macdonald was bowled by O'Reilly. Larmour was caught at the wicket while attempting to cut Ward. At 71 three wickets fell when Ward dismissed Lambert, Mellon and Morgan in 10 balls. Billingsley and Cuffe added 13 before the last wicket fell. O'Reilly bowled six maidens in his nine overs and took 3-7 while Ward, a bowler of the Grimmett type, took 5-22. The old Irish batting weakness against leg-spin bowling was again shown up.

Derek Scott