It was déjà vu for England on their 2002/03 tour of Australia, as they were heavily beaten yet again – although they did have the Player of the Series in Michael Vaughan, who has become embroiled in the recent Yorkshire racism row.
The first Test match at the Gabba, Brisbane, was the 800th for England. It was also a match they would quickly have preferred to forget.
They won the toss and chosen to bowl first, much to the surprise of many. The decision soon backfired as Simon Jones broke down, and Matthew Hyden and Ricky Ponting shared a stand of 272 for the second wicket, before Ponting fell for 123. Hayden went on to make 197. With Shane Warne chipping in with 57, Australia took their score to 492.
In reply, England began well, with Marcus Trescothick making 72, John Crawley an unbeaten 69, and both Mark Butcher and captain Nasser Hussain making half centuries. But then the innings subsided, and they were all out for 325, Glenn McGrath taking 4-87.
Australia looked to consolidate their position. Hayden made 103 this time, Damien Martyn 64, and Adam Gilchrist a quickfire 60 with 2 sixes, enabling them to declare on 296/5.
England needed 464 to win but were bowled out for just 79, McGrath taking four more wickets. Australia had won by 384 runs.
Things scarcely improved in the second Test, in Adelaide.
England won the toss again and, this time, decided to bat. Vaughan was very much the star for them, with 177, but he lacked support. The last seven wickets fell for 47 runs, and England were all out for 342. Jason Gillespie and Warne took four wickets each.
And then Australia compiled another big score in reply. Ponting made 154, Martyn 95, and fast bowler Andy Bichel 48, as they racked up 552/9 before declaring.
For the second successive match, England then collapsed in their second innings, falling to 159 despite 57 from Alec Stewart. McGrath took 4-41 and Warne picked up three more wickets, as Australia won by an innings and 51 runs.