When Joe Darling challenged Stanley Jackson for a wrestling duel

The most famous incident from that historic Australian tour to England happened when Darling invited Jackson for a wrestling duel.

The Ashes series of 1905 is a memorable one for many reasons. It was won 2-0 by England team captained by Sir Stanley Jackson, who interestingly won all five tosses in the series and batted first on all the occasions. In the process, he became the first to do so in a five-Test series. There’s also a famous coincidence associated with that series as both Jackson and his opposition number Joe Darling were born on the same day — November 21, 1870. It remains the only case where both captains in a Test series were born on the same day. Also Read: oe Darling: 15 interesting facts to know about the legendary Australian captain

However, the most famous incident from that historic Australian tour to England happened when Darling invited Jackson for a wrestling duel. The incident took place when after losing all the tosses on that tour, Darling reached Scarborough to play Charles Thornton’s XI and found out that the opposition captain was none other Jackson. Determined to bat first, Darling confronted Jackson in the latter’s dressing room saying, “I’m not going to risk the toss this time except by wrestling.” Also Read: tanley Jackson: 17 facts about one of England’s finest cricketers ever

Jackson was taken aback, but he gave a fitting reply to Darling by agreeing to his wrestling bout, however on one condition that the burly George Hirst would represent Thornton’s XI in the duel. After giving Hirst a good look, Darling took his challenge back and subsequently walked out to the toss with Jackson only. The legend has it that as Darling tossed the coin in the air, Jackson called and did not bother to look at the coin afterwards. So confident was he of his success that “We’ll bat” were the only words that came out of his mouth. As it happened, Darling indeed lost the battle of the coin again. Jackson scored a hundred in the first and vital 31 not out in the second innings that helped ensure the draw.