The Ashes of 1977 were overshadowed by the gathering storm of the dispute between Kerry Packer and the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) over control of the television rights for Australian Test matches.
When the ACB refused to give Packer’s Channel Nine the exclusive rights, he immediately began creating a rebel World Series Cricket league, recruiting many top players in the game in the process.
By the time the Australian party boarded the plane to England, 13 of the 17 squad members had already secretly contracted to play for the new league.
England, too, had lost their captain, Tony Greig. He continued to play for them, but was forced to stand down after being engaged by Packer to recruit new players for the breakaway series.
Amidst this uncertainty, Australia, who had enjoyed the better of recent Ashes series, were outplayed and were comprehensively beaten. For the first time since 1972, England regained the Ashes.
It was Australia, though, who initially had the better of the first Test at Lord’s.
England won the toss and batted first, but lost early wickets until a stand of 98, between Bob Woolmer (79) and Derek Randall (53) helped them recover to 216. Jeff Thomson took 4-41 for Australia.
In reply Australia scored 296, Craig Serjeant top-scoring with 81, well supported by captain Greg Chappell’s 62 and Doug Walters’ 53, as Bob Willis took 7-78.
Batting again, England were again indebted to Woolmer, who scored 120, while Greig made 91, out of a total of 305. Needing 226, Australia were struggling at 114/6 when poor weather and bad light brought the game to a premature end.
Woolmer again starred with the bat for England in the second Test, at Lord’s.
This time Australia won the toss and chose to bat. Walters led the way with 88 as they finished on 297. Woolmer then scored 137, ably supported by Randall, 79, and Greig, 76, as they built a first innings-lead by making 437.
The second time round, captain Greg Chappell made 112, but it was very much a solitary effort, as Australia were bowled out for just 218, the left-arm spin of Derek Underwood taking 6- 66.
Set 79 to win, England reached their target for the loss of just one wicket.