Already one up in the series, Australia headed to Lord’s for the second Test match, their happy hunting ground of the 20th century. The summer of 1993 was not to disappoint them either.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat, they dominated almost form the first ball. And virtually batted their opponents out of the match.
The opening pair of Mark Taylor (111) and Michael Slater (152) shared 260 before both fell in quick succession. David Boon and Mark Waugh continued the onslaught, adding 175 more until Waugh fell for 99. There was no respite, as Boon and captain Allan Border put on another 139 for the fourth wicket. Border was eventually dismissed for 77, but Boon was 164 not out, when the declaration was made with Australia 632/4.
A weary England side were then bowled out for just 205. Michael Atherton provided lone resistance with 80, while there were four wickets each for Merv Hughes and Shane Warne.
It was no surprise when England were asked to follow on, and they did better second time round. Atherton became the second man in the man in the Test match to fall for 99 – he slipped while taking his hundredth run – while both Graeme Hick and Alec Stewart made sixties. However, with Warne taking four more wickets, England were dismissed for 365, meaning they had lost by an innings and 62 runs.
England did better in the third Test, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. But for time being lost to bad weather, they might have won the match.
This time England batted, having won the toss, Robin Smith top-scoring with 86, while Nasser Hussain made 71 out of a total of 321. Hughes took 5-92.
When it came to the Australian first innings, Boon again led the way with 101 and Mark Waugh provided support with 70, out of a total of 373.
England then batted themselves in a potentially match-winning position by declaring on 422/5, captain Graham Gooch making 120 and Graham Thorpe an unbeaten 114.
Australia, needing 373 to win, were in trouble at 202/6 when time ran out.