Australia continued their Ashes form in 1990 with a comprehensive first Test victory over England. Lamb deputised for the injured Graham Gooch in Brisbane, Gooch unavailable due to an infected finger. England batted first on a green pitch and under perfect bowling conditions were bowled out for 194. Bruce Reid who had undergone major spine surgery took 4 wickets for 53 in the first innings. When Australia went in to bat, no one expected what happened next, Australia were bowled out for only 152 runs, Small, Fraser and Lewis all tacking three wickets each. England led by 42 runs after the first innings and had every right to feel confident going out to bat in their second innings. Unfortunately, England lost three wickets at the end of the second day including Larkins who went first ball and Ex-captain David Gower for 29. The following morning under heavy cloud cover, Terry Alderman was in his element, so much so he finished the innings with his best figures of 6 for 47, the visitors all out for 114. Marsh and Taylor then went to town and showed all the batsmen who had gone before them how to bat. They scored the runs required without loosing a wicket; the stand of 157 for the first wicket was a record at Brisbane. Australia hadn't beaten England in three days or less since 1938 under the captaincy of Sir Donald Bradman.

Gooch returned for England and duly won the toss; Border disappointed initially to loose it on his record 20th Test leading Australia against England. For the second Test in a row, England held a first innings lead over Australia. Gower scored another century (his 17th in Tests) and Alec Stewart chipped in with a supporting 79. England were all out for 352, Bruce Reid seemingly back to his best taking 6 for 97. Although Australia were only 46 runs behind England after the first innings, no one scored a century, Angus Fraser was the pick of the bowlers taking 6 for 82. In England's second innings, the visitors were well placed but Bruce Reid, once again the best bowler took 7 wickets the final 9 wickets falling for 47 runs. [Picture - Bruce Reid bowling, he took 13 wickets in the match] On the 4th evening, Taylor and night watchman Healy were dismissed with only 10 runs on the board, Australia were under pressure. The following day, Marsh (79) and Boon (94) applied themselves and never looked back, Australia winning by 8 wickets at 2 for 197. It was the first time since 1891 - 92 that Australia had won the first two Test matches in a series after first innings deficits.

The third Test at Sydney saw England turn up for a match and actually hang around long enough to compete. Australia batted first on a good wicket and scored 518 all out, Greg Mathews scoring his maiden Test century (128) and Boon fell 3 runs short of another century. England missed Angus Fraser who had picked up an injury, went into the Test match with only 4 bowlers and Devon Malcolm bowled erratically conceding 128 runs for his 4 wickets. In reply Gower (123 and his 18th Test century), Atherton (105) and Stewart (91) showed the Australian's for the first time in the series that they could bat as a unit. Gooch declared the innings on 8 for 469. Phil Tufnell playing in his second Test took 5 wickets for 61 as Australia were bowled out for 205 in their second innings, leaving England to chase 255 for the win off 28 overs. Gooch and Gower then played the match as if it were a one-day game, scoring 81 runs off only 11 overs. In his knock, Gower passed 8000 Test runs. England still carried the attack to Australia until they had lost 4 wickets, they then reverted to a more defensive position and played out for time. Mark Taylor during his second innings reached his 1000 run against England in only 17 Test innings.

The carnival moved on to Adelaide where Mark Waugh made his debut (in place of his brother Steve) and scored a swashbuckling century. Australia scored 386 in their first innings, Phil Defreitas taking 4 wickets for 56. Craig McDermott (reinstated after two years) and Bruce Reid disposed of England for 229 taking 9 wickets between them, the last 8 wickets falling for 92 runs. Australia leading by 157 lost 4 wickets for only 68 runs, but a chanceless century by Boon (121) and Border's 83 not out, helped the Australian's recover leaving England to chase 471 for victory. Graham gooch and Atherton put on 203 for the first wicket in reply, Gooch scoring his first hundred in Australia. The partnership was a record stand, beating Hayward and MacLaren's in 1901 - 02. But similar to the 4th Test, England lost a couple of wickets and shut up shop, ending the match on 5 for 335.

With the Ashes retained, Australia under Border went to Perth for the final Test match of the series brimming with confidence and determined to finish the series off on a high. Border passed MacLaren's 22 Test matches as captain in the game. Bruce Reid missing through a foot injury, left the door wide open for Craig McDermott and boy did he make the most of his chance! England batting first looked comfortably placed at 2 for 191, however the dream start suddenly turned into a nightmare as McDermott punished the English batsmen. The last 8 wickets fell for only 53 runs, McDermott finishing with his best figures in a Test Match - 8 for 97. Australia led after the first innings by 63 runs and didn't take long in dismissing the visitors for only 182 in the second innings. Only Robin Smith and Phil Newport showed any signs of resisting the Australian's spell, and did just enough to take the match into the fourth day. Merv Hughes took his 100th Test wicket, and Alderman became the 10th bowler to take 100 wickets against England in only 17 Tests. The series now over, England made their way home with another Test series defeat, this time by 3 rubbers to 0. Australia didn't play as well as 1989 but the series win was just as convincing.

[Craig McDermott celebrates after taking Alec Stewart's wicket, one of his 8 in the innings]