The Ashes series of 1982/83 was the first to be staged in Australia since the rapprochement between the Australian Cricket Board and World Series Cricket. With exclusive local television rights, Kerry Packer’s Channel Nine promoted it heavily, using national stereotypes in a bid to whip up enthusiasm and Australian desire for revenge after their heavy defeat to an Ian Botham inspired side 18 months before.
The tour also featured a triangular one-day series featuring New Zealand as well as the hosts.
Greg Chappell was back as captain for the hosts after his sojourn with WSC and making himself unavailable for the overseas tour, helping to strengthen their batting line-up.
The action began with the first Test, in Perth, where Australia won the toss and chose to field. For England, Chris Tavare made 89, Derek Randall 78, and David Gower 72, as England made 411, Bruce Yardley claiming 5-107.
Chappell then showed what Australia had been missing by making 117. He was supported well by fifties from Kim Hughes, John Dyson, David Hookes and Geoff Lawson as Australia reached 424/9 before declaring.
In their second innings, Randall led the way for England, making 115, and Allan Lamb contributed 56 out of a total of 358.
That left Australia needing a notional 346 to win, but time ran out with their score on 73/2.
The second Test, in Brisbane, proved to be more decisive.
Again, Australia elected to field. This time they bowled out England for 219, despite 72 from Lamb, Geoff Lawson taking 6-47.
Opener Kepler Wessels, who would later switch his international allegiance back to his native South Africa, made 162 as Australia posted 341 in reply, despite Bob Willis claiming 5-66, Chappell scoring another half century.
Graeme Fowler top scored with 83 in England’s second innings as they finished on 309, but that meant Australia needed just 188 to win, a target they reached for the loss of three wickets.