Australia’s era of dominance in Ashes cricket continued when they visited England in the summer of 1997.
The English, at least, for the only time between 1997 and 2005, won a match before the outcome of the series was already decided, and gave a better account of themselves than in any other Test series between the two countries between 1989 and 2005.
Having won the three ODIs preceding the tests, England were in confident mood going into the first Test match, at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
And, after losing the toss and being made to bowl, they began strongly, bowling Australia out for just 118, a score that might have been even worse but for a fighting 47 from Shane Warne. Andy Caddick took 5-50.
England then consolidated their position with a strong batting performance. Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe put on 288 for the fourth wicket before Thorpe was dismissed for 138. Hussain went on to make 207, and Mark Ealham made an unbeaten 53, enabling England to declare on 478/9.
Australia batted much better second time round, Matthew Elliott making 66 and both captain Mark Taylor and Greg Blewett reaching three figures. Their efforts helped Australia reach 477, meaning England needed 118 to win. An unbeaten 57 from captain Michael Atherton helped them get there for the loss of one wicket.
Weather was to play a big part in the second Test match, at Lord’s. It helped England salvage a draw, ending a losing sequence of 18 consecutive matches against the opponents on the ground.
However, the match started badly for them. Losing the toss and put into bat, they were bowled out for just 77, their lowest total at Lord’s since 1888. Glenn McGrath’s 8-38 was the third-best bowling performance by an Australian.
On a difficult pitch, opener Elliott made 112 out of 213/7, and Australia declared early in the hope of forcing a result amidst rain.
However, with Mark Butcher scoring 87 and Atherton 77, England were able to get to 266/4 before the two captains shook hands.