Australia arrived on English shores in the summer of 1985 after a four year absence, determined to defend the Ashes they had won on home soil in the previous series between the two teams.
In the end, however, it did not go as they had planned, and the English side emerged victorious.
Unusually that year, the first Test was staged at Headingley in Leeds. Australia won the toss and chose to bat. Andrew Hilditch and Kepler Wessels shared a second-wicket stand of 132. Hilditch went on to score 119, but their final total of 331 was sub-par on a pitch that was initially good for batting.
And that was proved when it came to England’s turn to bat. Tim Robinson made 175, and was supported by fifties from Ian Botham, Mike Gatting and Paul Downtown. England posted 533, putting themselves in the driving seat.
In their second innings, Australia again leaned heavily on Hilditch (80) and Wessels (64), while Wayne Phillips, batting at seven, made 91. However, their final score of 324 meant that England needed 123, which they managed for the loss of five wickets.
One of the curious facts about English cricket is that the home side has a poor record at Lord’s, and so it proved in the second Test this time round as well, despite a fine individual performance from Botham.
Australia asked England to bat after winning the toss. Despite captain David Gower making 86, the decision brought Australia some joy, as England bowled them out of 290, Craig McDermott claiming 6-70.
Gower’s opposite number Allan Border then starred with the bat, making 196, well supported by Greg Ritchie’s 94, as Australia closed their innings on 425. Botham took five wickets.
Botham then went on to top-score with 85 in their second innings. However, their total of 261 left Australia with 127 to win.
They made heavy work of it, losing six wickets in the process, but they got there in the end.