The Ashes series of 1958/59 was labelled one of the biggest upsets in Test history, as the hosts thrashed a side widely regarded as one of the strongest to leave English shores, comprising the formidable bowling attack of Fred Trueman, Brian Statham, Jim Laker, and Tony Lock.
But England captain Peter May more than met his match in the form of his opposite number Richie Benaud, who helped transform an average team into an exceptional one.
However, the series was marred by controversies over umpiring and bowling actions as well as a rift in the England camp.
The die was cast in the first Test in Brisbane, where England won the toss and batted on a green pitch. The decision backfired, and England were bowled out for 134.
Australia struggled in turn with bat, but established a valuable lead of 52, thanks in large part due to Colin McDonald’s 42. In their second innings, 68 from Trevor Bailey helped England make 198, although Benaud took 4-66. Australia needed 147, and they reached their target for the loss of just two wickets, Norman O’Neill making 71.
And the pattern continued in the second Test in Melbourne.
May again won the toss, batted, and led the way by making 113 out of 259 on another green pitch as Alan Davidson took 6-64, and there were three wickets for Ian Meckiff. Australia were struggling in their reply until Neil Harvey came to the crease. His 167 helped them reach 308 despite 7-57 for Statham.
Meckiff then produced one of the finest bowling performances of his relatively short Test career, taking 6-38, as England collapsed to 87 in their second innings. Needing only 39, Australia got there for the loss of two wickets.
The English were reeling but they did stop the rot with a draw in the third Test in Sydney.
They batted for the third time in the series, but were all out for a disappointing 219, May top-scoring with 42 and Benaud claiming 5-83. Australia batted themselves into a strong position by making 357 in return, O’Neill making 77, McDonald 71, and Ken Mackay with 57.
But England batted better second time round, vice-captain Colin Cowdrey with an unbeaten century and May 92, as they declared on 267/7. Australia needed 150 but only got to 54/2 were the umpires removed the bails.
Normal service though was resumed in the fourth Test in Adelaide.
This time Australia batted first, and set down a marker by making 470. McDonald led the way with 170, and he was ably supported by Jim Burke who made 66 and O’Neill with 56.
In reply, Cowdrey scored 84, but Benaud’s 5- 91 helped restrict England to just 240. Invited to follow on, they did better second time round, making 270, May making 59 this time and Tom Graveney an unbeaten 53.
But that left Australia with a simple task of scoring just 35, which they did with no undue alarms.
That made the fifth Test in Melbourne a dead rubber at least as far as the series went, but for good measure, Australia won that as well.
England batted first but again disappointed and were all out for 205, Benaud taking another four wickets. Then he made 64 with bat, which, together with McDonald’s 133 and 74 from wicketkeeper Wally Grout, helped Australia to 351.
In their second innings Graveney made 54, but it was not enough to prevent England being all out for 214, meaning Australia, yet again, were left with a simple victory target, this time 69. They reached it for the loss of just one wicket to make the final series score-line 4-0 in their favour.