The England side that toured Australia in 1954/55 made history in several ways. They were the first English side to tour Australia under a professional cricketer, Len Hutton, and the first to win a series Down Under in 22 years. It would be another 16 years until another side enjoyed overall triumph on Australia soil.
In addition, they became one of only three touring sides to come from behind and win the series, having lost the first match in the series, in Brisbane.
There they had been heavily punished by Australia, who won the toss and batted. Neil Harvey made 162, Arthur Morris 153, and Ray Lindwall an unbeaten 62, as the runs piled up. Australia finally declared on 601/8 and bowled out a weary England team for just 190, Lindwall and Ian Johnson with 3-27, although Trevor Bailey made an obdurate 88.
Asked to follow on, England did better second time round, Bill Edrich with 88. But Richie Benaud’s 3-42 helped the home side bowl them out for 257, consigning the tourists to an innings and 154-run defeat.
The second Test in Sydney was an altogether closer affair.
This time England batted first having been put in. The wicket was fast and green, and England were bowled out for 154, Ron Archer leading the way with 3-12, and Johnson with three more wickets. In reply Australia took the lead by scoring 228, Archer top-scoring with 49, while Frank Tyson and Bailey ended up with four wickets to their name.
In their second innings though, 104 from Peter May and 54 from Colin Cowdrey helped England post 296. Requiring 223 to win, Neil Harvey made an unbeaten 92, but, at the other end, Tyson ripped through the Australian innings taking 6-85, and they were all out for 184. England had won by 38 runs.
The third Test in Melbourne followed much the same script. Australia took a first-innings lead only to be blown away by Tyson second time round.
This time Hutton won the toss and chose to bat, with Cowdrey very much the shining light, scoring 102 out of 191. Australia did not have anybody to match that individually – their highest scorer was Len Maddocks with 47. But the tail wagged, helping them close on 231.
In their second innings, May again starred with 91, as England closed on 296, meaning Australia needed 257 to win. Tyson though romped through them, taking 7-27 as England won by 128 runs.
And England ensured that the Ashes would be retained in the fourth Test in Adelaide.
This time Australia batted first, having won the toss in baking-hot conditions. Maddocks again justified his selection with 69, as they were dismissed for 323.
Hutton had disappointed with the bat so far in the test series, but he found some form here with 80, and Cowdrey made 79, as England got to 341.
But for the second match in a row Australia were dismissed in their second innings for only 111, Tyson, Brian Statham, and Bob Appleyard all taking three wickets each. England needed just 94, and although they made hard work of it, losing five wickets, they got there in the end.
The fifth Test in Sydney saw much of the first three days of the match lost to heavy rain.
When play did finally get underway, England, batting first, made 371/7 before declaring, with Tom Graveney making 111, Denis Compton 84, May 79, and Bailey 72. England then bowled the Australians out for 221. Colin McDonald top-scoring with 72.
Australia followed on and this time McDonald made 37. At 118/6 they were headed for another defeat until the end of the game came in time for them to claim a draw.