Due
to the first World Cup earlier in the summer, the
Ashes was a shorter series than usual. Mike Denness
kept his captaincy and put Australia in to bat.
The tourists scored 359, 4 batsmen scoring half-centuries.
England effectively lost the Test match after one
over. Replying to the tourists total, a huge thunderstorm
wrecked the wicket and were bowled out for only
101 runs by Lillee and Walker. England were forced
to follow on and were again bowled out cheaply for
173, loosing the match by an innings and 85 runs.
Thompson took 5 wickets in the second innings and
Graham Gooch was on debut failed to score in both
innings.
Tony
Greig took over the captaincy from Mike Denness
for the second Test at Lord's. Scoring 96 himself,
England batted first and scored 315 after a bad
start. In reply, Australia scored 268 after being
in serious trouble at 8 for 133, Edwards scoring
99 and Lillee 73 (his highest first class score).
England scored 436 in their second innings, Edrich
scoring 175. Australia held out for a draw without
too much trouble.
Vandals
ruined the third Test at Headingley. England scored
288 and in reply Australia managed only 135 runs.
Phil Edmonds on debut took 5 wickets for 28 runs.
Australia were set 445 runs to win after the home
side had scored 291. At the end of the 4th day's
play, Australia were well placed on 3 for 220, Cosker
scoring 95 and Ian Chappell 62. Overnight, vandals
protesting the innocence of a man George Davis serving
a prison sentence for armed robbery, damaged the
wicket with knives and oil. Play was unable to resume
on the last day and the game was drawn.
McCosker
(127) and Ian Chappell (192) effectively secured the
Ashes for Australia as the tourists ended their first
innings on 532 for 9 declared. England were forced
to follow on after scoring only 191 in their first
innings, both Thompson and Walker taking 4 wickets
each. England saved the match by scoring 538 in their
second innings, Bob Woolmer scoring 149 in his second
Test. Australia won the series by 1-0 and 3 of the
matches drawn. |
