A Special moment in Australia's history

Australia prides itself on it's sporting prowess. I think it's fair to say we also pride ourselves on being sportsmen and women of integrity (with the exception of Warney and a few of the leaguies) I think in general we are good spectators too. I was shocked to find out that the SCG was the host of the first cricket riot and one of the first sporting riots of any sort.

In 1879 a British team were touring and had a number of games scheduled against NSW at the SCG. It is alleged that a Victoria umpire, paid for by the Birtts, had put a substantial bet on an English win. After a number of questionable decisions Coulthard gave NSW star batsman, Murdoch, out with another dodgy run out call. Un uproar started in the pavilion and as a result NSW took a stand and refused to play on with Coulthard behind the stumps. After a stand off the angry crowd took it upon themselves to invade the pitch. Amongst the invaders was a young A B "Banjo" Paterson. The invaders attacked The umpire and also some of the English players but no one was badly hurt. The situation was defused by the umpire at the other end who was none other than Sir Edmund Barton, our much neglected First Prime Minister. It was in fact the publicity surrounding the riot that was largely responsible for his election when he ran for the NSW Legislative Assembly Later that year.