 While the team was en route to England , the players elected Trott as captain ahead of George Giffen . On the opening day of the first Test at Lord 's , England bowled Australia out in 75 minutes for only 53 runs on a pitch thought to be good for batting . In reply , England made 292 with Trott taking two wickets . In their second innings , Australia was still 177 runs in arrears with three wickets down when Syd Gregory joined Trott at the crease . Their partnership of 221 runs led Wisden to record that , " as long as cricket is played ... cause the match to be remembered " . Trott 's score of 143 ( the only Test century of his career ) was not enough to prevent England winning by six wickets . In the second Test at Manchester , Australia again batted first , scoring 412 runs ; Frank Iredale making 108 and Trott 53 . At the beginning of England 's first innings , Trott opened the bowling with his flighted leg @-@ spin . It was unusual for a leg @-@ spinner to take the new ball , but the move — a " stroke of genius " according to Wisden — was successful as he dismissed Stoddart and WG Grace for low scores . Both batsmen were deceived by Trott 's flight and stumped by the wicket @-@ keeper . England totaled 231 and , forced to follow on , scored 305 runs in the second innings , K. S. Ranjitsinhji making 154 not out . In a tense finish , Australia made the 125 runs needed for victory with three wickets in hand . On a pitch affected by rain , England won the series and The Ashes , defeating Australia in the Third Test by 66 runs ; Australia were bowled out for 44 runs in the second innings , at one stage having lost nine wickets for 25 . 
