View source for 1912 Triangular Tournament

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox cricket series
|series=1912 Triangular Tournament
|partof=
|image=
|caption=
|date=27 May – 22 August 1912
|place=[[England]]
|result=England won the nine-match tournament 4–2–0
|team1={{cr|ENG}}
|team2={{cr|AUS}}
|team3={{cr|RSA|1910}}
|captain1=[[C. B. Fry]]
|captain2=[[Syd Gregory]]
|captain3=[[Frank Mitchell (sportsman born 1872)|Frank Mitchell]]
|runs1=[[Jack Hobbs]] (391)<br />[[Wilfred Rhodes]] (263)
|runs2=[[Warren Bardsley]] (392)<br />[[Charles Kelleway]] (360)
|runs3=[[Dave Nourse]] (220)<br />[[Aubrey Faulkner]] (194)
|wickets1=[[Sydney Barnes]] (39)<br />[[Frank Woolley]] (17)
|wickets2=[[Bill Whitty]] (25)<br />[[Gerry Hazlitt]] (19)
|wickets3=[[Sid Pegler]] (29)<br />[[Aubrey Faulkner]] (17)
|notes=
}}

The '''1912 Triangular Tournament''' was a [[Test cricket]] competition played between [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]], [[England cricket team|England]] and [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]], the only Test-playing nations at the time.

The ultimate winners of the tournament were England, with four wins in their six matches, but the tournament was deemed a failure, with disappointing crowds and uncompetitive cricket, caused in part by a weakened Australia team.

The tournament was the first tournament in Test history to be played between more than two nations. It was the only such tournament until the [[Asian Test Championship]]s of [[1998–99 Asian Test Championship|1998–99]] and [[2001–02 Asian Test Championship|2001–02]], and the [[World Test Championship|ICC World Test Championship]] which began in [[2019–21 ICC World Test Championship|2019]].

== Background ==
The idea of a competition involving all three of the nations then playing Test cricket (Australia, England and South Africa) was proposed at the first meeting of the [[Imperial Cricket Council]] in July 1909. The original proposal was for a tournament to be held every four years, with the first hosted by England in 1912.

For a variety of reasons, the tournament was not a success. The summer was one of the wettest since records began in 1766:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadukp/data/seasonal/HadEWP_seasonal_totals.txt|publisher=[[Met Office|UK Met Office]]|title=Hadley England and Wales Precipitation Seasonal Totals}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/pub/data/weather/uk/climate/datasets/Rainfall/ranked/England_and_Wales.txt|publisher=UK Met Office|title=England and Wales Rainfall ranked}}</ref> rainfall in the three months of June, July and August was more than twice the seasonal average,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Parry|first1=Simon|last2=Marsh|first2=Terry|last3=Kendon|first3=Mike|year=2013|title=2012: from drought to floods in England and Wales|journal=Weather|volume=68|issue=10|pages=268-274}}</ref> and August, 1912, was the coolest, dullest and wettest August of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Weather|pages=179-184|title=Two remarkable British summers – 'perfect' 1911 and 'calamitous' 1912|first1=Mike|last1=Kendon|first2=John|last2=Prior|date=24 June 2011}}</ref> At that time, pitches were not covered to protect them against rain, so the batsmen were at a distinct disadvantage on the [[proverb]]ial [[sticky wicket]]. These problems were exacerbated since Tests in England were in those days played over three days rather than the five days that is now usual. Two of the matches between England and Australia were drawn due to the weather, with the final match being played on a pitch said to be {{cquote|better suited to [[water polo]].<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web| url = http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/207248.html| title = Reference at content-usa.cricinfo.com}}</ref>}}

In addition, disputes between the players and management in Australia meant that six leading Australian players refused to tour{{efn|These six were [[Victor Trumper]], [[Vernon Ransford]], [[Clem Hill]], [[Warwick Armstrong]], [[Sammy Carter|Hanson Carter]] and [[Tibby Cotter|Albert Cotter]], of whom only Armstrong and Carter would again play for Australia.}} whilst medical duties meant [[H. V. Hordern|“Ranji” Hordern]], easily Australia’s best bowler in the 1911–12 Ashes series, could not tour either.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Brookes|editor-first=Wilfrid H.|title=[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]|year=1939|publisher=J. Whitaker and Sons Limited |location=[[London]]|page=911 |edition=76}}</ref> These setbacks severely weakened a side that had otherwise been level with England in recent [[The Ashes|Ashes]] series. The [[leg spin]] and [[googly]] [[bowling (cricket)|bowlers]] in the South African side were very effective on the [[matting]] [[cricket pitch|pitches]] then in use in South Africa, but were less deadly on English grass pitches. As a result, England dominated, winning four of their six matches and drawing the other two.

Finally, the British public showed little interest: in the words of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'':{{cquote|Nine Tests provide a surfeit of cricket, and contests between Australia and South Africa are not a great attraction to the British public.<ref name=autogenerated1 />}}

The tournament was so unsuccessful that it has never been repeated. The idea of a tournament of international cricket matches between more than two countries was not repeated, outside of regional tournaments in East Africa and the West Indies, until the invention of [[One Day International]] cricket and the first [[Cricket World Cup]] in 1975. The only other Test cricket tournaments in history were the [[Asian Test Championship]]s played in [[1998–99 Asian Test Championship|1998–99]] and [[2001–02 Asian Test Championship|2001–02]], which were also not great successes, until the [[World Test Championship|ICC World Test Championship]] began in [[2019–21 ICC World Test Championship|2019]].

==Teams==
{{col-start}}
{{col-break}}
;England
*[[C. B. Fry]] (captain)
*[[Jack Hobbs]]
*[[Wilfred Rhodes]]
*[[Reginald Spooner]]
*[[Frank Woolley]]
*[[Johnny Douglas]]
*[[Jack Hearne (John William Hearne)|Jack Hearne]]
*[[Pelham Warner]]
*[[Frank Foster (cricketer)|Frank Foster]]
*[[Schofield Haigh]]
*[[Tiger Smith]]
*[[Sydney Barnes]]
*[[Gilbert Jessop]]
*[[Harry Dean (cricketer)|Harry Dean]]
*[[Ernie Hayes]]
*[[Bill Hitch]]
*[[Walter Brearley]]

{{col-break}}
;Australia
*[[Syd Gregory]] (captain)
*[[Warren Bardsley]]
*[[Barlow Carkeek]]
*[[Sid Emery]]
*[[Gerry Hazlitt]]
*[[Claude Jennings]]
*[[Charles Kelleway]]
*[[John McLaren (cricketer)|John McLaren]]
*[[Charlie Macartney]]
*[[Jimmy Matthews]]
*[[Edgar Mayne]]
*[[Roy Minnett]]
*[[David Smith (sportsman)|David Smith]]
*[[Harold Webster (Australian cricketer)|Harold Webster]]
*[[Bill Whitty]]

{{col-break}}
;South Africa
*[[Frank Mitchell (sportsman born 1872)|Frank Mitchell]] (captain)
*[[Louis Tancred]] (captain)
*[[Rolland Beaumont]]
*[[Tom Campbell (South African cricketer)|Tom Campbell]]
*[[Claude Carter]]
*[[Joe Cox (cricketer)|Joe Cox]]
*[[Aubrey Faulkner]]
*[[Gerald Hartigan]]
*[[Charles Llewellyn]]
*[[Dave Nourse]]
*[[Sid Pegler]]
*[[Reggie Schwarz]]
*[[Sibley Snooke]]
*[[Louis Stricker]]
*[[Herbie Taylor]]
*[[Tommy Ward (cricketer)|Tommy Ward]]
*[[Gordon White (cricketer)|Gordon White]]
{{col-end}}
<ref>{{cite web| url = http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1910S/1912/TRI-TEST/TRI-TEST_MAY-AUG1912_AVS.html| title = Triangular Tournament (Aus Eng RSA) May/Aug 1912}}</ref>

== Notable incidents ==

Perhaps the most notable incident of the series was Australian bowler [[Jimmy Matthews]] taking two [[Hat-trick (cricket)|hat-trick]]s in the same Test match, one in each innings of the opening match against South Africa, the only time a bowler has taken two hat-tricks in the same Test.

==Tests==

===First match: Australia v South Africa at Old Trafford, 27–28 May 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 27–28 May 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
| team2 = {{cr|RSA|1912}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 448 (122.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Warren Bardsley|W Bardsley]] 121
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Sid Pegler|SJ Pegler]] 6/105 (45.3 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 265 (116 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Aubrey Faulkner|GA Faulkner]] 122
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Bill Whitty|WJ Whitty]] 5/55 (34 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 
| runs-team1-inns2 = 
| wickets-team1-inns2 =

| score-team2-inns2 = 95 ([[Follow-on|f/o]]) (28.2 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Herbie Taylor|HW Taylor]] 21
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Charles Kelleway|C Kelleway]] 5/33 (14.2 overs)

| result = Australia won by an innings and 88 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62387/Australia-vs-South-Africa- Scorecard]
| venue = [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]], [[Manchester]]
| umpires = [[George Webb (cricketer)|GW Webb]] and [[Archibald White (umpire)|A White]]
| toss = Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes =  [[Claude Jennings|CB Jennings]], [[Sid Emery|SH Emery]] and [[Barlow Carkeek|W Carkeek]] (all AUS), and [[Gerald Hartigan|GPD Hartigan]], [[Herbie Taylor|HW Taylor]], [[Rolland Beaumont|R Beaumont]], [[Tommy Ward (cricketer)|TA Ward]] (all SA) made their Test debuts.
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/236544.html Report]
* Australia batted first, completing their first innings score of 448 on the first day, with centuries for [[Charles Kelleway]] and [[Warren Bardsley]]. [[Sid Pegler]] took 6 [[wicket]]s for 105 runs. South Africa were 16 for 1 at the close.
* South Africa were bowled out for 265 on the second day (with a century for [[Aubrey Faulkner]], and [[Bill Whitty]] taking 5 wickets for 55 runs).  They were within 30 runs of saving the follow on when [[Jimmy Matthews]] took a hat-trick to dismiss the last three batsmen.  183 runs behind, the South Africans were asked to bat again, and were bowled out again on the same day for 95 (Kelleway taking 5 for 33).  Matthews took a second hat-trick in the second innings.
* Australian bowler [[Jimmy Matthews]] took a double [[Hat-trick (cricket)|hat-trick]], one in each of South Africa's innings, both hat-tricks being taken on the same day, 28 May 1912.  Matthews took no other wickets in the match. 
* South Africa's debutant [[wicket-keeper]] [[Tommy Ward (cricketer)|Tommy Ward]] was Matthews' 3rd victim in both innings.  Ward's is the only known instance of a [[king pair]] on debut in Test cricket.

===Second match: England v South Africa at Lord's, 10–12 Jun 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 10–12 June 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|RSA|1912}}
| team2 = {{cr|ENG}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 58 (26.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Dave Nourse|AW Nourse]] 13
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Frank Foster (cricketer)|FR Foster]] 5/16 (13.1 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 337 (119 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Reggie Spooner|RH Spooner]] 119
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Sid Pegler|SJ Pegler]] 7/65 (31 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 217 (82 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Charles Llewellyn|CB Llewellyn]] 75
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Sydney Barnes|SF Barnes]] 6/85 (34 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| result = England won by an innings and 62 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62388/England-vs-South-Africa- Scorecard]
| venue = [[Lord's]], [[London]]
| umpires = [[Walter Richards (umpire)|W Richards]] and [[William West (umpire)|WAJ West]]
| toss = South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = [[Claude Carter|CP Carter]] (SA) made his Test debut.
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/236226.html Report]
* For the first time in a Test match, [[Extra (cricket)|extras]] top scored in an innings.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Frindall |first1=Bill |title=The Wisden Book Of Test Cricket: Volume 1 1877–1970 |date=2000 |publisher=Headline Book Publishing |location=London |isbn=0747272735 |page=124}}</ref>
* Heavy rain in the week before the match delayed the start on the first day until after 3pm, and then batting conditions were treacherous.  South Africa were all out for 58 in their first innings within 90 minutes.  [[Frank Foster (cricketer)|Frank Foster]] and [[Sydney Barnes]] bowled 26.1 overs unchanged, taking 5 wickets each.  England's opening batsmen [[Jack Hobbs]] and [[Wilfred Rhodes]] found the conditions much easier to cope with, and England were 122 for 1 at the close.
* On a sunny second day, [[Reggie Spooner]] scored 119, and [[Frank Woolley]] 73, with Pegler taking 7 for 65.  England were all out for 337, with a first innings lead of 279 runs.  South Africa were 114 for 4 at the close.
* South Africa were bowled out for 217 on the third day, with [[Charlie Llewellyn]] scoring 75 and Barnes taking another 6 wickets.

===Third match: England v Australia at Lord's, 24–26 Jun 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 24–26 June 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|ENG}}
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 310/7[[Declaration and forfeiture|d]] (90 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Jack Hobbs|JB Hobbs]] 107
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Sid Emery|SH Emery]] 2/46 (12 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 282/7 (127.2 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Charlie Macartney|CG Macartney]] 99
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Wilfred Rhodes|W Rhodes]] 3/59 (19.2 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 
| runs-team1-inns2 = 
| wickets-team1-inns2 =

| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| result = Match drawn
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62389/England-vs-Australia- Scorecard]
| venue = [[Lord's]], [[London]]
| umpires = [[John Moss (umpire)|J Moss]] and [[Alfred Street (cricket umpire)|AE Street]]
| toss = England won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = [[Harry Dean (cricketer)|H Dean]] (ENG) and [[David Smith (sportsman)|DBM Smith]] (AUS) made their Test debuts.
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237031.html Report]
* The match was ruined by the weather.  Only about 3 hours were played on the first day due to two interruptions for rain.  Play was not too difficult on the wet pitch to begin with, but became treacherous as the pitch dried.  At the close, England were on 211/4.  England added 30 runs in 20 minutes on the second day.
* The third day was sunny, and England declared at 310 for 7 ([[Jack Hobbs|Hobbs]] 107).  
* In reply, Australia made 282 for 7 before rain ended play, playing defensively to avoid defeat. [[Charlie Macartney]] scored 99 runs before being caught out, becoming only the third player in Test cricket to be dismissed one run short of a century.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060110225259/http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BATTING/TESTS_BAT_99_INNS.html]

===Fourth match: England v South Africa at Headingley, 8–10 Jul 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 8–10 July 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|ENG}}
| team2 = {{cr|RSA|1912}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 242 (78.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Frank Woolley|FE Woolley]] 57
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Dave Nourse|AW Nourse]] 4/52 (26.1 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 147 (56.3 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Sid Pegler|SJ Pegler]] 35[[not out|*]]
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Sydney Barnes|SF Barnes]] 6/52 (22 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 238 (90.2 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Reggie Spooner|RH Spooner]] 82
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Aubrey Faulkner|GA Faulkner]] 4/50 (24.2 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 159 (58.2 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Louis Tancred|LJ Tancred]] 39
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Sydney Barnes|SF Barnes]] 4/63 (21.2 overs)

| result = England won by 174 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62390/England-vs-South-Africa-  Scorecard]
| venue = [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]], [[Leeds]]
| umpires = [[Walter Richards (umpire)|W Richards]] and [[Archibald White (umpire)|A White]]
| toss = England won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes =
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237046.html Report]
* England were bowled out for 242 in their first innings ([[Frank Woolley|Woolley]] 57; [[Dave Nourse]] 4/52) before the end of the first day's play, and South Africa were 141/8 at the close.
* South Africa were all out for 147 on the second day ([[Sid Pegler|Pegler]] 35; [[Sydney Barnes|Barnes]] 6/52), and England added 238 in their second innings ([[Reggie Spooner|Spooner]] 82; [[Aubrey Faulkner]] 4/50).
* Having set South Africa a target of 334 to win, they reached 105/7 at the close of the second day's play, and were bowled out again for 159 on the third day ([[Louis Tancred]] 39, [[Sydney Barnes|Barnes]] 4/63).

===Fifth match: Australia v South Africa at Lord's, 15–17 Jul 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 15–17 July 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|RSA|1912}}
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 263 (89 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Herbie Taylor|HW Taylor]] 93
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Bill Whitty|WJ Whitty]] 4/68 (31 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 390 (128.5 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Warren Bardsley|W Bardsley]] 164
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Sid Pegler|SJ Pegler]] 4/79 (29.5 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 173 (57.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Charles Llewellyn|CB Llewellyn]] 59
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Jimmy Matthews|TJ Matthews]] 4/29 (13 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 48/0 (12.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Edgar Mayne|ER Mayne]] 25[[not out|*]]
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| result = Australia won by 10 wickets
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62391/Australia-vs-South-Africa- Scorecard]
| venue = [[Lord's]], [[London]]
| umpires = [[John Moss (umpire)|J Moss]] and [[Alfred Street (cricket umpire)|AE Street]]
| toss = South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = [[Edgar Mayne|ER Mayne]] (AUS) made their Test debuts.
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237048.html Report]
* South Africa were bowled out for 263 on the first day ([[Herbie Taylor]] 93; [[Bill Whitty]] 4/68), and Australia were 88/2 at the close.
* Australia reached 390 all out on the second day, 127 runs ahead, with centuries for Kelleway and [[Warren Bardsley]] (his 164 being the highest score in the tournament) and four wickets for Pegler.  South Africa were 146/8 at the close.
* After bowling South Africa out for 173 on the third day ([[Charlie Llewellyn|Llewellyn]] 59; [[Jimmy Matthews|Matthews]] 4/29), setting a target of 47 to win.  [[Claude Jennings]] and debutant [[Ernie Mayne]] reached 48 runs for no loss within half an hour, to win the match.

===Sixth match: England v Australia at Old Trafford, 29–31 Jul 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 29–31 July 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|ENG}}
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 203 (92.5 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Wilfred Rhodes|W Rhodes]] 92
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Bill Whitty|WJ Whitty]] 4/43 (27 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 14/0 (13 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Claude Jennings|CB Jennings]] 9[[not out|*]]
| wickets-team2-inns1 =

| score-team1-inns2 = 
| runs-team1-inns2 = 
| wickets-team1-inns2 =

| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| result = Match drawn
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62392/England-vs-Australia- Scorecard]
| venue = [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]], [[Manchester]]
| umpires = [[George Webb (cricketer)|GW Webb]] and [[William West (umpire)|WAJ West]]
| toss = England won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = 
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/292917.html Report]
* In a rain affected match, play started at nearly 3pm on the first day, and around 5pm on the second day.  With less than 110 overs possible over three days, England reached 185/6 at the end of the first day, and were all out for 203 ([[Wilf Rhodes]] 92; [[Gerry Hazlitt]] 4/77 and [[Bill Whitty]] 4/43) on the second day.
* Australia reached 14 for no loss before no further play was possible on the remainder of the second day or on the third day, and the match was drawn.

=== Seventh match: Australia v South Africa at Trent Bridge, 5–7 Aug 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 5–7 August 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|RSA|1912}}
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 329 (128.5 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Dave Nourse|AW Nourse]] 64
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Jimmy Matthews|TJ Matthews]] 2/27 (20.5 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 219 (94.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Warren Bardsley|W Bardsley]] 56
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Sid Pegler|SJ Pegler]] 4/80 (36 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 
| runs-team1-inns2 = 
| wickets-team1-inns2 =

| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| result = Match drawn
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62393/Australia-vs-South-Africa- Scorecard]
| venue = [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]]
| umpires = [[George Webb (cricketer)|GW Webb]] and [[William West (umpire)|WAJ West]]
| toss = South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = 
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237053.html Report]
* Despite a sodden pitch, cloudy weather allowed South Africa to reach 266/8 at the end of the first day.  They were dismissed for 329 (Nourse 64), and the second day closed with Australia all out for 219 (Bardsley 56, Pegler 4/80).   No play was possible on the third day.

=== Eighth match: England v South Africa at The Oval, 12–13 Aug 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 12–13 August 1912<br />(3-day match)
| team1 = {{cr-rt|RSA|1912}}
| team2 = {{cr|ENG}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 95 (42.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Herbie Taylor|HW Taylor]] 23<br />[[Sibley Snooke|SJ Snooke]] 23
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Sydney Barnes|SF Barnes]] 5/28 (21 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 176 (56.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Jack Hobbs|JB Hobbs]] 68
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Aubrey Faulkner|GA Faulkner]] 7/84 (27.1 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 93 (32.4 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Dave Nourse|AW Nourse]] 42
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Sydney Barnes|SF Barnes]] 8/29 (16.4 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 14/0 (4.3 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Jack Hobbs|JB Hobbs]] 9[[not out|*]]
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| result = England won by 10 wickets
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62394/England-vs-South-Africa-  Scorecard]
| venue = [[The Oval]], [[London]]
| umpires = [[Walter Richards (umpire)|W Richards]] and [[Archibald White (umpire)|A White]]
| toss = South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = 
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/237054.html Report]
* In a low-scoring match, South Africa were bowled out for 95, with five wickets each for Barnes and Woolley.  England reached 176 and then bowled South Africa out again for 93 (Barnes bowling unchanged to take 8/29), setting England a target of 13 runs to win.  [[Jack Hobbs]] and [[J. W. Hearne|Young Jack Hearne]] took only 27 balls to score 14 for no loss before lunch on the second day, to win by 10 wickets.

===Ninth match: England v Australia at The Oval, 19–22 Aug 1912===
{{Two-innings cricket match
| date = 19–22 August 1912<br />([[Timeless Test]])
| team1 = {{cr-rt|ENG}}
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 245 (114.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Jack Hobbs|JB Hobbs]] 66
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Roy Minnett|RB Minnett]] 4/34 (10.1 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 111 (54.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Charles Kelleway|C Kelleway]] 43
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Frank Woolley|FE Woolley]] 5/29 (9.4 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 175 (86.4 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[C. B. Fry|CB Fry]] 79
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Gerry Hazlitt|GR Hazlitt]] 7/25 (21.4 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 65 (22.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Charlie Macartney|CG Macartney]] 30
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Frank Woolley|FE Woolley]] 5/20 (7.4 overs)

| result = England won by 244 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8523/scorecard/62395/England-vs-Australia-  Scorecard]
| venue = [[The Oval]], [[London]]
| umpires = [[John Moss (umpire)|J Moss]] and [[Alfred Street (cricket umpire)|AE Street]]
| toss = England won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = 
}}

* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/292919.html Report]
* The tournament rules did not anticipate that two teams could complete their matches with the same number of wins and therefore contained no [[tie-break]]ing conditions. Therefore, to ensure an overall winner, the match was played as a [[timeless Test]], with the 3-day time limit removed.  Regardless, the match finished during the fourth day.
* Despite heavy rain the day before the match, England reached 223/8 on the first day.  There was only {{frac|1|1|2}} hours play on the second day due to rain, during which England were dismissed for 245, with half centuries for [[Jack Hobbs]] and [[Frank Woolley]] and four wickets each for [[Bill Whitty]] and [[Roy Minnett]].  Australia were 51/2 when play was abandoned for the day.
* Australia were dismissed for 111 on the third day, with five wickets each for Barnes and Woolley and only Kelleway and Bardsley reaching double figures.  The last 7 wickets fell for 21 runs  England lost two quick wickets after lunch but batting became easier after a further rain delay and England were 64/4 at the close, 198 runs ahead.
* England were dismissed on the fourth day for 175 in their second innings, with [[CB Fry]] scoring 79 and [[Gerry Hazlitt]] taking 7/25. Needing 310 to win the match and the tournament, Australia were dismissed for just 65, with again only two batsmen reaching double figures (opener [[Claude Jennings]] and number 3 [[Charles Macartney]]), Woolley taking 5/20 and [[Harry Dean (cricketer)|Harry Dean]] 4/19.

==Results table==
{| class="wikitable" width=50%
|- bgcolor=#efefef
!Team 
!Played
!Won
!Lost
!Drawn
|-
|England || 6 || 4 || 0 || 2
|-
|Australia || 6 || 2 || 1 || 3
|-
|South Africa  || 6 || 0 || 5 || 1
|}

==See also==
*[[Big Six cricket dispute of 1912]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [[Harry Altham|H S Altham]], ''A History of Cricket, Volume 1 (to 1914)'', George Allen & Unwin, 1962
* [[Derek Birley]], ''A Social History of English Cricket'', Aurum, 1999
* [[Rowland Bowen]], ''Cricket: A History of its Growth and Development'', Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1970
* [[Bill Frindall]], ''The Wisden Book of Test Cricket 1877–1978'', Wisden, 1979
* [[David Frith (author)|David Frith]], ''The Golden Age of Cricket 1890–1914'', Lutterworth, 1978
* Chris Harte, ''A History of Australian Cricket'', Andre Deutsch, 1993
* various writers, ''A Century of South Africa in Test & International Cricket 1889–1989'', Ball, 1989
* [[Roy Webber]], ''The Playfair Book of Cricket Records'', Playfair Books, 1951
* Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1913
* Patrick Ferriday ''Before the Lights Went Out – The 1912 Triangular Tournament'' Von Krumm Publishing 2011

==External links==
* [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1912_ENG_Australia_in_England_1912.html CricketArchive re Australian tour]
* [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/ENG/1912_ENG_South_Africa_in_England_1912.html Cricket Archive re South African tour]
* [http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/465748.html The original damp squib] (from [[Cricinfo]])
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051023161904/http://www.334notout.com/ashes/reports/report27.htm Report of the tournament from 334notout.com]

{{Ashes Test series}}
{{England Squad Ashes 1912}}
{{Australia Squad Ashes 1912}}
{{International cricket tours of England}}

[[Category:1912 in Australian cricket|Tri]]
[[Category:1912 in English cricket|Tri]]
[[Category:1912 in South African cricket|Tri]]
[[Category:Australian cricket tours of England|Tri]]
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[[Category:International cricket competitions from 1888–89 to 1918|Tri]]
[[Category:International cricket competitions in England]]
[[Category:South African cricket tours of England|Tri]]
[[Category:The Ashes|1912]]
[[Category:May 1912 sports events in the United Kingdom|Triangular Tournament]]
[[Category:June 1912 sports events in the United Kingdom|Triangular Tournament]]
[[Category:July 1912 sports events in the United Kingdom|Triangular Tournament]]
[[Category:August 1912 sports events in the United Kingdom|Triangular Tournament]]
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