English cricket team in Australia in 1901–02

The England side was a private venture of Archie MacLaren at the invitation of the Melbourne Cricket Club, after MCC had declined to send a team.

George Hirst, Wilfred Rhodes, KS Ranjitsinjhi, Stanley Jackson and CB Fry were all unavailable.

Sydney Barnes made his debut for England and took 19 wickets in the first two Tests before being injured in the third and taking no further part in the series.

His selection for the tour was something of a coup for MacLaren, as Barnes had very little first-class experience behind him: a total of seven games.

[2] As a result of this performance MacLaren, who was the Lancashire captain, selected him for the touring party.