Playthrough: Righting some wrongs (and keeping some rights) in Australian cricket history

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28 November 1980
vs - First Test
The Gabba

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
John Dyson
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Doug Walters
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Geoff Lawson

New Zealand
John Wright
Bruce Edgar
John F. Reid
Geoff Howarth
John Parker
Mark Burgess
Richard Hadlee
Ian Smith
Lance Cairns
John Bracewell
Brendon Bracewell

Australia leave Jeff Thomson out with a fitness issue (legitimately, he spawned into this save with about 50% fitness), bringing back Len Pascoe. John Dyson is also recalled after averaging 90 in the Shield, as the first guy trialled for the vacant #3 spot. Meanwhile, NZ's lineup looked like they were deliberately losing (leaving Reid, Coney, Snedden, Troup and Chatfield all out for McEwan, Parker and B Bracewell), so I've given them John F. Reid back for this Test despite him being dropped for it IRL.

Australia won the toss and batted. The openers nearly survived the whole session, but a late Hadlee burst drew the wicket of Wood. Concerningly, Dyson threw his wicket away swatting at a bumper from Brendon Bracewell, then McCosker became the third catch for Reid at slip for 50. AB and Chappell survived the day, but Border nicked off to the keeper in the morning. Fortunately, Chappell could raise the tempo - he bashed around both Bracewells to bring up his ton roughly thirty minutes before lunch. He didn't get much further, as Lance Cairns bowled him for 102. Walters again fell just short of 50, and the Bracewells picked up some cheap tail wickets to end the Aussie innings at 335.

The reply was a big shock, as Edgar and Wright not only survived the early pace barrage, but the entire day. Geoff Lawson was clearly dissatisfied as he bowled Edgar in the second over of Day 3. Wright followed in identical fashion to Lillee a few overs later, then Howarth and Reid added another hundred. Pascoe got Howarth to pop one back to him for 64 after lunch, and a huge swing from Reid with only slight ding prevented Yardley from a wicketless hundred being brought up. Parker emulated Howarth, Hadlee emulated Reid (in being caught behind; this one wasn't a bad shot but more a spectacular piece of glovemanship by Marsh) and NZ were in trouble. Despite Burgess providing a vigil at one eng (3 off 60 before he was LBW to Pascoe), Smith counterattacked and got NZ back towards level footing - and then into a shock lead, with the help of a cameo from Lance Cairns. Smith fell for 73 - the fifth score between 59 and 75 this innings - and when Lawson bowled Brendon Bracewell for a golden duck, NZ led by 37.

McCosker fell cheaply, but Dyson and Wood restored parity. Wood fell early on Day 4, though, and Dyson was bowled trying to take Bracewell for his fifty in a single shot. Chappell and Border rescued the situation though; Chappell brought up his 100 and the 150 stand in the same shot, then burned Border the next over. After a few overs on Day 5 to get the lead to 295, Australia declared.

Lawson got the quick wicket, strangling Bruce Edgar down the leg side. Reid followed, edging Pascoe to slip, but Wright and Howarth put NZ on the road to winning - until Border came on for an over and promptly removed Wright LBW for 66. NZ needed 103 for the win in the final session, and added 19 before Howarth was yorked by Lillee for 87. Then a disaster - Yardley at gully spilled Burgess off Pascoe's bowling. Pascoe got Burgess four overs later caught by the steadier Marsh, with NZ ranging in on the target. Australia decided to attack Hadlee and defend Parker, but disaster struck for NZ when, with ten needed off 15 balls, Parker drove hard at Pascoe and nicked it. But Lillee delivered an expensive over, and New Zealand won a final over thriller. As they did IRL.

Spoiler: 1980/81 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Greg Chappell 3 (+3)
2. Len Pascoe 2 (+2)
3. Allan Border 1 (+1)

 

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12 December 1980
vs - Second Test
The WACA

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
John Dyson
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Doug Walters
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Jeff Thomson
Len Pascoe

New Zealand
John Wright
Bruce Edgar
John F. Reid
Geoff Howarth
John Parker
Mark Burgess
Richard Hadlee
Ian Smith
Lance Cairns
John Bracewell
Brendon Bracewell

Australia, after their shock defeat, make one change - Jeff Thomson predictably returns, while Geoff Lawson is benched, and Len Pascoe (Australia's best bowler in Brisbane by far) retains his spot. New Zealand consider returning Ewen Chatfield to the lineup, but end up going unchanged.

Burgess won the toss and batted. Edger and Wright held firm through the opening bowling partnership, but Pascoe sent one straight through Edgar after that. Wright kept on rolling after his partner's dismissal, although just after lunch, McCosker dropped him at short leg - Reid went down just before drinks at fine leg off Pascoe. Wright brought up his ton and immediately was dismissed by Allan Border of all people. Yardley returned to the attack after tea to claim Howarth, while Thomson dominated Parker for every ball of the 10 his innings lasted. Yardley struck again just before the new ball was taken, removing Burgess, and Pascoe pinned Hadlee with it. Smith was assured on the first evening and gave Reid a solid partner for the first time since Wright, but Lillee dominated him on Day 2 and he was eventually yorked. Lance Cairns was LBW off a Pascoe no ball, then LBW again off a legal delivery from Yardley an over later. John Bracewell provided yet more assistance before Pascoe finally bowled him, and while his brother fell cheaply to Yardley, NZ had set an imposing 442 behind 182* from John Reid.

Australia's openers tired out the Kiwis in a way their openers are more known for doing. 70 were taken off the first 40 overs before finally McCosker holed out to deep mid wicket. Dyson continued the slowth, scoring 43 off nearly 30 individual overs before Cairns bowled him with the second new ball. But Hadlee then dealt a huge blow; the in-form Chappell was in a position to cash in on his top order's hard work, but instead he was LBW for a duck. Border fell cheaply too, and when Wood nicked one and was out for 93, Australia were staring at following on. That is indeed what happened as the tail caved in. 9/52 was what Australia lost, mostly to the destructive force of Lance Cairns who claimed 7/48, as we had to follow on.

McCosker fell on Day 3, but Australia were otherwise untroubled. Dyson then fell an hour into Day 4 after a lot of blocking, and Wood was dismissed shortly after for 46. Border and Chappell stabilised the innings, but Border fell one short of 50, as his want this summer had been. Greg Chappell got a tough LBW decision on 73, Hadlee bowled Marsh after an entertaining cameo, and Walters nicked Cairns to slip in the next over, giving Lance his 10-for. Lillee made it 11 two overs later, but Yardley and Thomson at least survived an hour to make NZ's chase of 68 a bit harder.

Jeff Thomson should have made it harder, but Chappell didn't hold the catch - a third Australian drop, although given the other two resulted in the follow on, a less crucial one. He and Lillee hounded Edgar and Wright but they survived, and the only Aussie joy was that Doug Walters ensured he would not retire on 49 wickets by removing Wright LBW. Len Pascoe also had Edgar plumb LBW - off a no ball with the scores tied.

Spoiler: 1980/81 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Greg Chappell 3
1. Graeme Wood 3 (+3)
1. Len Pascoe 3 (+1)
2. Bruce Yardley 2 (+2)
3. Allan Border 1

 

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26 December 1980
vs - Third Test
MCG

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
Martin Kent
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Doug Walters
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Jeff Thomson
Len Pascoe
Terry Alderman

New Zealand
John Wright
Bruce Edgar
John F. Reid
Geoff Howarth
John Parker
Jeremy Coney
Ian Smith
Lance Cairns
John Bracewell
Ewen Chatfield
Brendon Bracewell

Australia make two changes after two drubbings. Firstly, the struggling Dennis Lillee is rested on a less pace-favourable wicket, and in for him comes debutant Terry Alderman. Also debuting is Queenslander Martin Kent, another Shield star; it's understood that while selectors weren't completely dissatisfied with John Dyson, they wanted someone a bit quicker at the top of the order. The Kiwis, shockingly, drop their quick bowling superstar too; Richard Hadlee was decent in Perth, but a bad performance at the Gabba and the miserly series for Brendon Bracewell sees him out for Ewen Chatfield, as well as the awful Burgess for Jeremy Coney.

The Aussies won the toss and batted, only to lose McCosker immediately, caught at slip in the third over. Brendon Bracewell removed Wood immediately after the drinks break, leaving the Aussies 2/25. Kent looked assured, but just as he got settled, he was out LBW by Brendon Bracewell too. Chappell joined the list to start and then out after lunch, but Border and Walters rescued the situation, as not a single wicket fell for the rest of the day, the batsmen particularly destructive to the Bracewells, as well as smacking Coney for 11 from his only over of Day 1. In fact, they weren't split until 40 minutes into Day 2's afternoon session, when Walters nicked an outswinger from Cairns. Marsh hit a quick 42 before Chatfield bowled him, then Border was finally dismissed by the same bowler for 184. The tail didn't resist to swing hard at the Bracewells - although only Thomson had any success - and Australia had set 459 over the balance of two days.

NZ missed their star bowler, but Australia didn't early, as after an uncomfortable start to Day 3 for the openers was issued by Thomson and Pascoe, Thommo got a big nick from Wright taken at second by Terry Alderman of all people. Alderman then took a second speccie five balls into his Test career, taking one hit almost above his head by Edgar with one hand. When Yardley got Howarth to nick to the keeper, NZ were 3/24 and for the first time in this series, in real trouble. Parker and Reid added nearly 30, but the former then sliced a sweep into his pads and then the hands of McCosker at short leg. Jeremy Coney got off the mark in the series with a huge top edge over the keeper, then Yardley got a second in two overs when Parker was LBW. Coney was bowled after lunch by Pascoe, and after a few lusty blows, Cairns was bowled trying to hit Yardley back to Auckland. John Bracewell ran himself out in fashion suspiciously similar to Michael, Yardley completed his 5-for by bowling Chatfield, and when Thomson did the same to Brendon Bracewell, NZ had collapsed in a heap for 97 and needed 363 just to reach parity after the follow-on was predictably enforced.

Wright and Edgar were much better this time; adding 37 off the Aussies' strike bowlers. They made it to tea, but Edgar spooned the first ball after the break back to Yardley in a limp dismissal for a tea that desperately needed not to do that. Yardley then removed Wright about ten overs later, and Border (after bowling four consecutive maidens) took a stunner to remove Howarth. Reid put together a nice 40 but then drove hard at Thomson and was caught at slip. Coney ruined figures of 13-7-8-1 for Border by hitting a six, then he and Parker bunkered down and parked the bus. But with no margin for failure against a fearsome pace attack, it was only going to take one mistake, and that was Coney, after 148 balls of defiance, not quite picking Thomson's inswinger. Ian Smith was up for the fight, but Parker then waned, playing at a wide one from Yardley and steering it to slip. Smith slipped and was stumped just after tea, then Cairns should have been #10 but McCosker, having an awful series with bat and in the field, put him down at short leg. Instead, Cairns and Bracewell added another 50 before the big quick was LBW to Thomson. Yardley finished his ironman stint of 23 straight overs with his fifth wicket - John Bracewell - then Chatfield was dropped at slip off Alderman. That life allowed him and Brendon Bracewell to have a bit of fun and even last out Day 4 before Alderman pinned Brendon LBW to end the match.

Spoiler: 1980/81 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Bruce Yardley 7 (+5)
2. Allan Border 4 (+3)
3. Greg Chappell 3
3. Graeme Wood 3
3. Len Pascoe 3
4. Doug Walters 2 (+2)
5. Jeff Thomson 1 (+1)

 

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in , 1980-81
Tests: 2 Jan 1981 (Sydney), 23 Jan 1981 (Adelaide), 7 Feb 1981 (Melbourne)

Greg Chappell
Allan Border
John Dyson
Martin Kent
Rick McCosker
Doug Walters
Graeme Wood
Graham Yallop

Rod Marsh

Trevor Chappell
Bruce Yardley

Terry Alderman
Geoff Dymock
Geoff Lawson
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Jeff Thomson

Graeme Beard

As much as NZ drubbed Australia in two of the three Tests, the first game was a tactical blunder and the second was a team failure. Pressure will increase on Greg Chappell if that continues, but for now, Australia name an unchanged squad. That won't happen for the next tour, as Dymock and Walters have announced their impending retirement.

India squad: M Amarnath, K Azad, R Binny, C Chauhan, K Dev, D Doshi, S Gavaskar, K Ghavri, S Kirmani, S Patil, Y Sharma, R Shastri, Yograj Singh, T Srinivasan, D Vengsarkar, G Viswanath, N Yadav

 

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2 January 1981
vs - First Test
SCG

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
Martin Kent
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Doug Walters
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Terry Alderman

India
Sunil Gavaskar
Chetan Chauhan
Gundappa Viswanath
Dilip Vengsarkar
Yashpal Sharma
Sandeep Patil
Kapil Dev
Syed Kirmani
Roger Binny
Karsan Ghavri
Dilip Doshi

Hooray! A new year has dawned and this new year won't feature both remaining Chappells disgracing themselves, hopefully! Australia are stuck in an enviable position, with five bowlers they want to play; rotating back in Lillee for Thomson is the one change they make, although there are rumours Dyson replaces McCosker if his form across all aspects continues to be a burden. India... well, you know my policy in the first game of any series.

Chappell won the toss and elected to bat on a good wicket. McCosker and Wood offered one chance in the opening session, a simple catch at slip to remove McCosker that was spilled by Gavaskar. Dev threw the cat among the pigeons shortly after the break, though, by removing Wood and Kent in the same over. Chappell failed too, edging Ghavri to gully, and Australia had lost 3/10. McCosker continued to be solid, but fell just after tea to a feather-thin edge off Doshi. Border, obviously, was dismissed for 49, and Australia were staring down the barrel of 220 when Walters followed without the score changing. That didn't happen because of a brilliant 94-run stand between Marsh and Yardley, only ended by a equally brilliant yorker from Ghavri. Yardley fell two short of his own 50, and after the last pair of Pascoe and Alderman frustrated the Indians by sticking around for 12 overs, Australia had set 341.

Pascoe got Chauhan cheaply, caught at second slip. A blinder by Border at short leg then removed Gavaskar for 15, and when Alderman bowled Viswanath too, India were in trouble. Vengsarkar was removed for a duck too; India were 4/36 with their four best batsmen back in the shed, and NZ-level embarassment loomed. That it didn't result was partly because Patil and Yashpal looked more comfortable than the more senior players, and partly because Alderman at second slip spilled Patil on 24. Their 76-run stand was ended by Alderman, who got a big nick through to the keeper from Yashpal, then Yardley got Patil at leg slip for 56. Kirmani was dropped by Chappell at first slip, but it mattered little as Lillee had Dev caught behind the next ball, and Chappell held onto a similar chance (just off Yardley) the next over anyway. Ghavri dragged India across the follow-on line, but Lillee then removed Binny and Doshi, leaving Australia with a lead of 197.

Adding fairly timely runs would be key for Australia. The openers responded to this fact with 14 runs off the first 12 overs. McCosker then fell trying to up the rate. Kent and Wood were much better, and added 82 in a session until Kent sliced Binny to the keeper for 42. Chappell provided more support for Wood, who went on to bring up another Test ton, before chopping Binny on with ten minutes until stumps. Wood also didn't survive the night, getting one from Kapil Dev that stayed low. Border, Marsh and Walters added quick runs before Australia declared following Marsh's dismissal, setting India 527 or surviving five sessions to win.

Chetan Chauhan decided the best method of defense was attack. He drilled three boundaries off Lillee, then almost ran out Gavaskar. It was however functional, as he and Gavaskar added 75 before the veteran Gavaskar flicked Yardley to short leg. Chauhan fell four overs later to an edge off the same bowler. Vengsarkar and Viswanath stabilised the innings, but the former then was dismissed by a speculative over from Doug Walters. Patil looked to counterpunch but fell early on the final day to Lillee, then in the biggest blow yet, Viswanath feathered one behind off Pascoe the next over. Dev picked up a duck, and while Kirmani and Sharma fought hard, Yashpal played a needless shot and holed out to Kent at mid on just before the new ball. That meant it was time for Lillee and Pascoe to go to work on the tail; Lillee bowled Binny, Ghavri edged a fast wide one from Pascoe, and both remaining Indians could have been out before lunch. As it was, the finalisation waited until two overs after, when Pascoe yorked Doshi.

Spoiler: 1980/81 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Bruce Yardley 7
2. Graeme Wood 6 (+3)
3. Dennis Lillee 5 (+5)
4. Allan Border 4
4. Len Pascoe 4 (+1)
5. Greg Chappell 3
6. Doug Walters 2
6. Rod Marsh 2 (+2)
7. Jeff Thomson 1

 

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23 January 1981
vs - Second Test
Adelaide Oval

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
Martin Kent
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Doug Walters
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Terry Alderman

India
Sunil Gavaskar
Chetan Chauhan
Gundappa Viswanath
Dilip Vengsarkar
Yashpal Sharma
Sandeep Patil
Kapil Dev
Syed Kirmani
Roger Binny
Karsan Ghavri
Dilip Doshi

Both teams are unchanged. Australia don't feel the need to keep shuffling their top order cards, while India still believe this is their best XI.

Viswanath won the toss, batted, and watched his openers for three hours. Gavaskar and Chauhan struggled early, but took advantage of spin to add 137 before it finally proved the undoing of Chauhan who was caught close to the bat. Viswanath hung around for a bit, got settled, then edged Yardley to slip. Vengsarkar lasted four balls, caught behind off Yardley's next over, and the second new ball got Patil just as he'd got settled. Yashpal didn't last long, caught off Alderman early on the second day, and Dev and Kirmani fell in the same Lillee over. Binny should have joined that list, but Alderman dropped him at short fine leg on 0. Instead, he provided Gavaskar enough support to reach his double ton (and Day 2 lunch) before McCosker caught him at short mid wicket in the first over of the second session. Lillee finally yorked Gavaskar for 210, and when Pascoe pinned Ghavri LBW the next over, India had been bowled out for 366.

Australia's opening partnership was uncharacteristically brisk, and uncharacteristically short as Wood was gone for 7 just after tea. Kent left a big gap between bat and pad to Roger Binny, gifting him his wicket, and while nowhere near as bad as his real 1983, Chappell's struggle continued as he fell the same way for eight. The real loss, though, was McCosker - having played flawlessly to get to 32, he ran himself out. Australia were staring at a follow on; fortunately, two things came through. First, a 124-run fifth-wicket partnership between Border and Walters, and second, rain that meant every third day session was half its original length. A tail wag, including some spinner-on-spinner violence as Yardley lofted Doshi into the sightscreen, as well as two drops in the slip cordon, meant Australia only trailed by 55 (albeit, on the fourth day already).

Pascoe was loose in his first over, but pin point in his second to bowl Chauhan. Gavaskar continued on his merry way from the first innings, bringing up a quickfire 50, before Yardley beat his outside edge and bowled him. Viswanath decided to take up the attack, but then flicked Yardley to short fine leg, where Alderman held the catch this time. Vengsarkar held firm while Patil attacked; he got some cheap runs off the spinners, then went too hard at Doug Walters in the last over of the day and was LBW. Pascoe then delivered a withering spell, removing Yashpal, Vengsarkar and Kirmani in five overs; Alderman got Dev at the other end, while both Kirmani and Roger Binny were also dropped in those ten overs. After one ball faced by Ghavri which nearly removed his head, India declared.

Australia's openers added 79 at a pace that suggested they thought chasing 293 in two sessions was possible. When they and Kent fell, it was clear that wasn't possible, and Chappell and Border played risk free cricket to the end of Day 5.

Spoiler: 1980/81 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Bruce Yardley 7
1. Allan Border 7 (+3)
2. Graeme Wood 6
2. Len Pascoe 6 (+2)
3. Dennis Lillee 5
4. Greg Chappell 3
4. Doug Walters 3 (+1)
5. Rod Marsh 2
6. Jeff Thomson 1

 

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7 February 1981
vs - Third Test
MCG

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
John Dyson
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Doug Walters
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Terry Alderman

India
Sunil Gavaskar
Chetan Chauhan
Gundappa Viswanath
Dilip Vengsarkar
Sandeep Patil
Kapil Dev
Ravi Shastri
Syed Kirmani
Madan Lal
Karsan Ghavri
NandlalYadav

There were rumors coming into the third Test that Terry Alderman would find himself out of the team again; those were false, but Martin Kent did, swapping with John Dyson again. India did more; their ineffective bowling was completely changed, with Madan Lal and Yadav replacing Binny and Doshi. Young all-rounder Ravi Shastri also made his Test debut, replacing Yashpal Sharma.

India's changed team started well by winning the toss and batting. Chauhan scratched around for the first hour, then missed a sweep off Yardley. Doug Walters, playing in his last Test, quickly got rid of Viswanath, then McCosker couldn't hold onto a sharp chance at short leg offered by Gavaskar. That was countered by the spinner striking again, Yardley getting Vengsarkar LBW. Then, Gavaskar offered McCosker a second chance, an easier one off the spinner, and it was held. India were in serious trouble at 4/72. That became 5/75 when Yardley, quickly having himself a Test, also got Dev for a duck. Lillee got himself into the action, with the DK-Marsh partnership removing Shastri for one. Patil and Kirmani added 30 to prevent record embarrassment, then Kirmani was caught by McCosker, who redeemed himself by holding onto a sharp, one-handed chance. One run later, Pascoe also removed Patil, and when Nandlal Yadav was LBW to Pascoe just after tea, India were all out for 141.

Unusually, having seen the Indian innings capitulate, the Aussie openers went harder than usual. That resulted in McCosker being LBW to Kapil Dev for 11. Dyson got in and then out early on Day 2, while Chappell sliced a drive back to Madan Lal for 18. India still had two problems though; 1) Graeme Wood and 2) the fact that Australia were within 10 runs of the lead by the time Chappell was dismissed. Wood and Border decided to pile on the pain, adding 213 before Wood was LBW to the last ball of Day 2. Walters, in possibly his final Test innings, failed, caught at short leg for 13. But Marsh played a blinder; he and Border added 160 before the keeper was bowled for 81 by Lal. Border was bowled for 192 in the next over, and after the Australian tail gifted Shastri his first wicket by attempting to hit him into space, Australia declared at tea.

India needed 365 to make Australia bat again. When Lillee bowled Gavaskar in the ninth over, it was clear to everyone that was not happening. Chauhan didn't do much either; he survived longer than Gavaskar, but only made two more runs. Viswanath counterpunched with a few boundaries before Alderman had him LBW, then Patil nicked Pascoe to the keeper. When Vengsarkar did the same, India were once again 5/67. Dev and Shastri survived to stumps, but Pascoe picked up a third in Shastri early on Day 4. Alderman had Dev LBW with his first ball of the day, then Kirmani caught at slip and Lal LBW. Ghavri and Nandlal kicked around for a bit though, which allowed Alderman a shot at five; he didn't make it though, as Lillee instead removed Yadav.

Spoiler: 1980/81 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Allan Border 12 (+5)
2. Graeme Wood 8 (+2)
3. Bruce Yardley 7
3. Len Pascoe 7 (+1)
4. Dennis Lillee 5
5. Greg Chappell 3
5. Doug Walters 3
5. Terry Alderman 3 (+3)
6. Rod Marsh 2
7. Jeff Thomson 1

Allan Border had an incredible India series and a great NZ one, meaning he takes the medal over Graeme Wood, Bruce Yardley and returnee Len Pascoe!

 

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Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Inductee: Doug Walters

Career Stats: 78 GP, 5511 runs at 45.92 (HS 250), 53 wickets at 29.89 (best 5/66), 38 catches

Doug Walters was known best perhaps for his copious intake of beer and cigarettes and his larger-than-life persona. It's what has made him a loved member of the Australian team for 17 years. What's made him a member of the Australian team for 17 years, though (note the distinction), is his all-round cricket skills. While his batting average dipped at the small section of his career simulated here, his bowling average improved; taking four wickets in his final home summer, including Gundappa Viswanath twice, meant he not only broke 50 wickets but finished with a bowling average in the 20s.

But it was mainly with the bat he was noted. He didn't bring up a fourth century in a session in this save, but he did score one vital one - with Australia down the barrel of a humiliating sweep by New Zealand, Walters and Allan Border added 231 for the fifth wicket, Walters' share 126. That was his last innings of note, but in a career with so many already (15 tons, three of those in a session and one a 250), it was not the only by far.

 

[ddrap14]

in , 1981
Tests: 18 June 1981 (Trent Bridge), 2 July 1981 (Lord's), 16 July 1981 (Headingley), 30 July 1981 (Edgbaston), 13 August 1981 (Old Trafford)

Greg Chappell
David Boon
Allan Border
John Dyson
Rick McCosker
Dirk Wellham
Graeme Wood
Graham Yallop

Rod Marsh
Richie Robinson

Trevor Chappell
Bruce Yardley

Terry Alderman
Ian Callen
Geoff Lawson
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Jeff Thomson

The Ashes! Australia call up a number of uncapped guys for this. Out for Australia is the retired brigade (Walters and Dymock), as well as Beard (unnecessary second spinner given Yardley's great and Border can do a job) and Martin Kent. In come four Shield standouts - David Boon, an exciting young talent from Tasmania; Richie Robinson, a backup keeper who's also Taswegian; Dirk Wellham, the NSW captain; and Ian Callen, who will probably ride the bench.

England squad: P Allott, I Botham, G Boycott, M Brearley, G Dilley, P Downton, J Emburey, M Gatting, G Gooch, D Gower, M Hendrick, A Knott, C Old, C Tavare, R Taylor, P Willey, B Willis, R Woolmer

 

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18 June 1981
vs - First Test
Trent Bridge

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
David Boon
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Dirk Wellham
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Terry Alderman

England
Geoff Boycott
Graham Gooch
Robert Woolmer
David Gower
Mike Gatting
Peter Willey
Ian Botham
Paul Downton
Graham Dilley
Bob Willis
Mike Hendrick

Two Test debuts in England in the Ashes. Boon and Wellham, replacing Dyson and Walters, have the pressure on. How will they cope? As for England... why is Downton there?

Australia won the toss and batted, and then watched their openers blow it up in their face. 22 runs were added off the first 19 overs; Botham had McCosker dropped off the first ball of the 20th, then Wood caught at short leg off the very next delivery. Debutant Boon got one that stayed low in his next over, but Chappell and McCosker then increased the rate. McCosker fell to Dilley just before he hit 50, then Border got in - and straight back out. Chappell followed him a couple of overs later and Australia were in serious trouble. Wellham failed, but the tail survived the night, and despite Rod Marsh falling in the first over of Day 2, the tail added a few more runs to get Australia to 236.

England's openers were the complete opposite of Australia's, adding 96 in 36 overs before Gooch flicked one to McCosker at short midwicket. Lillee grabbed a second wicket in Woolmer two balls later, and Gower hit a few boundaries then spooned one back to Alderman. Border got Gatting LBW after tea, leaving England in some trouble. Willey and Boycott saw England through to a slightly early stumps, although edging Yardley to slip three balls before the new ball wasn't ideal. Lillee proved to immediately remove Boycott - literally - and tore through the tail, taking four wickets in six overs. Hendrick got out for a duck, and despite England being 0/96 chasing 236, the scores were tied after the first innings.

McCosker immediately removed parity, but Wood was dismissed for a duck. Boon went flying though; he and McCosker rolled for the rest of Day 3, with Boon reaching a ton before McCosker hit 50. And they kept going. And going. And going. They weren't dismissed on Day 4's morning session either; or until 10 minutes were left before Tea, when McCosker missed a swing across the line against Botham and was LBW 154. Australia thusly declared at tea, with Boon on debut rebounding from 1 in the first innings to post 216* in the second.

Australia attacked, and while Gooch got quick runs, he also fell to the new ball (edging Pascoe to the keeper) in a critical dismissal. Woolmer collected a pair, but Gower and Boycott got going after that. They looked like blunting Australia down for a while, until Gower went to sweep Yardley's first ball of the final day and missed. But then Gatting and Boycott got going. It was going to take something to get Australia back into it; and they did, Lillee bouncing Gatting out. Willey didn't score, and Botham only just did. England, though, fought back, as the second new ball did absolutely nothing.

Until Alderman used it.

He pulled off a big inswinger to finally get rid of Geoff Boycott. Downton couldn't handle Yardley, and the tail fell over with 80 minutes still spare.


yes i missed the sc

Spoiler: 1981 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. David Boon 5 (+5)
2. Dennis Lillee 3 (+3)
3. Bruce Yardley 2 (+2)
4. Rick McCosker 1 (+1)

 

[ddrap14]

2 July 1981
vs - Second Test
Lord's

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
David Boon
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Dirk Wellham
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Terry Alderman

England
Geoff Boycott
Graham Gooch
Robert Woolmer
David Gower
Mike Gatting
Peter Willey
Ian Botham
Paul Downton
Graham Dilley
Bob Willis
Mike Hendrick

Australia don't change a winning team. England don't panic either, surprisingly - they stay unchanged, reasoning that they were ahead until their tail collapsed at the end of their first innings. Whether such reasoning is meritous is uncertain.

Chappell, unusually for him, called tails - and lost, Australia being sent in. McCosker played chancily, but both openers survived to lunch. They added 102 before McCosker nicked Dilley to slip, ending the partnership just after drinks in the afternoon. Wood made a gritty 68 before Bob Woolmer finally added either a wicket or a run for the Ashes, and he then also got Boon LBW. Chappell survived the night, but didn't find the fence in 51 balls and then nicked one to slip. Border made a fluent 84 before slicing an on drive to the keeper, while Dirk Wellham brought up his first Test 50 before holing out for 61. The tail added a few quick runs, and Australia declared on 395 overnight given they were already nine down.

Neither opening bowler troubled Gooch or Boycott, but once again Alderman continued to master the Dukes - swinging one back into Gooch's pads to get the big breakthrough. Yardley then removed Boycott for 19 - an arguably even bigger wicket given his Trent Bridge performances. Woolmer at least survived 41 balls this time, but fell basically immediately when Lillee returned, then Alderman returned after lunch and drew a thick edge from Gatting that McCosker held at slip. Yardley then bowled Willey, leaving England down half their side with 67 runs still required to avoid the follow-on. What England needed was David Gower to knuckle down and help the lower order to do that. What they didn't was him lazily chipping Border's part-time spin back to the gleeful bowler. Yardley then bowled Botham for 1, and the spin duo ripped through the tail (Dilley 1, Downton 0, Hendrick 0) to leave England well adrift - and the follow on was indeed enforced.

Once again, England's openers were fine against Lillee and Pascoe. Once again, Gooch struggled with a change bowler - this time it was Yardley. He generated several chances, but Gooch then turned the tables with two fours - and going to cover drive a third, he got a huge edge which Rod Marsh almost grassed, but critically did hold. Woolmer then got stuck in, while Boycott got going. They added 139 before Boycott missed one from Yardley and was bowled for 116. The new ball was immediately taken, and McCosker at second slip immediately dropped Woolmer. Lillee pinned him LBW four overs later for a possibly career-saving 65. England went to tea with seven wickets left, then immediately lost one after the break as Gatting gave Len Pascoe a simple return catch. Gower was then dismissed in the same manner off Alderman, but Willey and Botham showed fight. It was only after Willey was LBW for 21 off Yardley that the collapse happened, but when it did Botham met it like a champ; after losing Downton, Dilley and Willis cheaply, he shephereded Mike Hendrick and added 30 for the last wicket (Hendrick share: 1). That meant Australia had to get 134 in 2.5 sessions to win.

Australia lost Graeme Wood early, but then promoted captain Chappell to 3 knowing they were against the clock. It worked wonders; while McCosker reached his 50 steadily, Chappell went a bit quicker, making 61 in less balls, and Australia completed the chase with about an hour and a half in reserve.

Spoiler: 1981 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Bruce Yardley 7 (+5)
2. David Boon 5
3. Dennis Lillee 3
3. Allan Border 3 (+3)
3. Rick McCosker 3 (+2)
4. Graeme Wood 1 (+1)

 

[ddrap14]

16 July 1981
vs - Third Test
Headingley

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
David Boon
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Dirk Wellham
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Terry Alderman

England
Geoff Boycott
Graham Gooch
Robert Woolmer
David Gower
Mike Gatting
Mike Brearley
Ian Botham
Paul Downton
Chris Old
Graham Dilley
Bob Willis

We're coming into Headingley with the same narrative we did IRL: Australia are effectively unassailable with a win. They go unchanged again, while England... don't fully panic yet. They make the same captaincy change they made IRL, and also bring in Old for Hendrick.

Chappell won the toss, batted, and watched Wood nick the first ball of the game - fortunately it landed safe. It was a key moment too as the openers added 167 before Wood shanked one off Willis straight to mid on. Chappell promoted himself to 3 again and got a quick 40 before nicking Chris Old to slip with four overs to go, then McCosker followed for 92 off the last over of the day. Border and Wellham fell off consecutive balls the next morning, and when Marsh joined them an over later, trouble was brewing. Boon and Yardley survived through lunch, but Old produced the ball of his career to dismiss Boon just afterwards, and Lillee thwacked a couple to get Australia to 308.

Once again, England's opening partnership dealt with the new ball, only for one to immediately get out to Alderman at first change - Boycott edged him to second slip. Woolmer gritted out 47 balls before Lillee yorked him, uniting Gooch and Gower - a key partnership for the match's context. It didn't last long enough for England's sake; Gower missed a sweep off Yardley and was out LBW. Gatting added 100 with the opener before he checked a drive that was caught simply at cover, and while Gooch reached his ton, he was then bowled for 109 by Yardley. Botham was dismissed a ball later, and Paul Downton got a 26-ball duck. Chris Old had a fine cameo though; he added 21, which trimmed Australia's lead to 43.

Wood and Chappell were both dismissed on Day 3, the former by a great slips catch from Botham, the latter by hacking across the line at Beefy. Australia's two grittiest players then added 80 over almost two sessions. McCosker fell for 78, which meant Border came in for a cameo - 49 off 88 was exactly what we needed. Wellham would have completed a pair but he was bowled off a no-ball, then Boon fell caught behind for 69 at the other end. Wellham and Marsh played brilliant attacking innings from there; when Australia declared overnight, Wellham had 77 off 92 and Marsh 74 off 92.

Victory was now basically out of reach for England, and drawing seemed a lot less likely when Pascoe bowled Gooch for 14. Woolmer again survived rather than thrived, but blunting 60 balls was exactly his job here. He was eventually LBW to Yardley, then just after lunch, Gower marched down at the same bowler, missed, and just kept heading towards the pavilion. That left an almighty job for Boycott and Gatting to do to save the Test. Gatting got stuck in, flaying four boundaries and racing to 25 - but when he went for a fifth off Pascoe, his cut ended up sliced to second slip. Brearley then was caught at mid wicket for a duck, and England were totally up against it. Boycott, playing a necessary Boycott-style innings, remained, and now the IRL hero Botham joined him. He looked assured, but then at the other end Boycott fell to a brilliant inswinger from Alderman. Downton's pair was completed, Old made a duck and Dilley just avoided one. Willis, though, stuck around. While it was never anything but a formality he'd eventually get out (as he did to Pascoe, LBW, to seal the Ashes for Australia), he at least took England to tea still alive.


Australia have regained the Ashes

Spoiler: 1981 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Bruce Yardley 9 (+2)
2. Rick McCosker 8 (+5)
3. David Boon 5
4. Dennis Lillee 3
4. Allan Border 3
4. Terry Alderman 3 (+3)
5. Graeme Wood 1
5. Dirk Wellham 1 (+1)

 

[ddrap14]

30 July 1981
vs - Fourth Test
Edgbaston

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
David Boon
Greg Chappell
Allan Border
Dirk Wellham
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Jeff Thomson
Terry Alderman

England
Geoff Boycott
Graham Gooch
Mike Brearley
David Gower
Mike Gatting
Ian Botham
Alan Knott
John Emburey
Chris Old
Graham Dilley
Bob Willis

Australia drop Len Pascoe, who's continued to struggle to produce away, and recall Jeff Thomson. England... panic, dropping Woolmer and Downton for Knott and Emburey.

Brearley got England's first win of the series at the toss, and asked to bat. Again, Boycott and Gooch saw off the openers, then as soon as Alderman came on he bowled Gooch. Brearley survived 111 balls, providing useful Boycott support, before he was yorked by Lillee. England were in trouble three overs later when Boycott nicked McCosker to slip. Gower failed, missing a sweep from Lardley, and Gatting followed LBW Alderman. Knott and Botham counterattacked, adding 64 before Knott edged Yardley to the keeper. Alderman yorked Botham for 44, then Emburey's 42 balls of blunting ended with Alderman's fifth wicket. Dilley was dropped by Alderman at second slip with the new ball, then held by the same guy an over later, but Old and Willis then added 37 for the last wicket, fighting England up to 253.

The openers added 50 before Old castled McCosker. Chappell failed, and Wood was out just after passing 50. Border was LBW for 21 after getting in, irritatingly, and Wellham failed. Marsh gave Boon some support, but the tail didn't, and Boon was last out for 88 chipping one back to Dilley. Led by Chris Old's 4/55, England led by 18 - exactly half of Old's late cameo.

Once again, it was Alderman at first change who got the early breakthrough, Boycott trying to cut and only edging it to slip. Brearley was once again an effective blunt, although for Gooch this time, until he replicated the first dismissal but off Lillee. Gower failed again, caught at short leg off Thomson, but Gatting and Gooch looked incredible from there. Gatting was finally dismissed, caught at fine leg to a big top edge off Yardley, and Gooch was bowled by the same bowler two overs later for a classic 137. Knott followed after lunch, edging to the keeper. Lillee removed Emburey similarly, and Old was then dropped at slip. He and Botham then attacked, adding 68 in quick time before David Boon got his first Test wicket, Old nicking one to Marsh. Alderman then knocked over the tail, leaving Australia 4 sessions or 400 runs to not lose.

McCosker and Wood then survived 45 overs in a huge boost for Australia. England finally broke through 45 minutes into Day 5 when McCosker nicked Dilley to the slips. The next wicket didn't fall for another 45 as Wood's 281-ball fifty finally was ended by a Willis yorker. Chappell fell with 75 minutes left in the Test, and concerningly Border followed immediately, then Boon too. But Wellham, after nearly falling on 0 again, got support from Yardley and Lillee, and the Test finished in a close draw.

Spoiler: 1981 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Bruce Yardley 9
2. Rick McCosker 8
3. David Boon 7 (+2)
4. Terry Alderman 6 (+3)
5. Dennis Lillee 3
5. Allan Border 3
6. Graeme Wood 2 (+1)
7. Dirk Wellham 1

 

[ddrap14]

13 August 1981
vs - Fifth Test
Old Trafford

Australia
Rick McCosker
Graeme Wood
David Boon
Greg Chappell
Trevor Chappell
Dirk Wellham
Rod Marsh
Bruce Yardley
Dennis Lillee
Ian Callen
Terry Alderman

England
Geoff Boycott
Graham Gooch
Mike Brearley
David Gower
Mike Gatting
Chris Tavare
Ian Botham
Alan Knott
Chris Old
Paul Allott
Bob Willis

With the series well and truly settled already, Australia bring in two debutants. One of those was forced; Allan Border failed a late fitness test, giving Trevor Chappell the opportunity to debut. The other is Ian Callen coming in for Thomson. Meanwhile, England haven't run out of ideas, but from the fact Paul Allott and Chris Tavare are playing, it's safe to say they've ran out of good ones.

England did get an early break, winning the toss and batting on what looked to be a good pitch for the batsmen. Boycott was obdurate while Gooch attacked, hitting a few boundaries off Yardley - then gifting the spinner his wicket when he flicked one straight to catching mid-wicket. Brearley failed, then Boycott became Callen's first Test wicket, and England were suddenly in a spot of bother. Gatting and Gower knuckled down, something that was long overdue for the latter who'd spent the whole series throwing his wicket away, and added 100 before Alderman got Gatting LBW for 58. Gower carried on to 64 before a big cut attempt at Yardley was bottom edged into the gloves of Marsh. The new ball terrorised the Englishmen; Botham and Tavare fell to Alderman and Lillee respectively, and the latter could have had Knott too, passing the edge narrowly several times. He and Old survived to stumps, but the big quick was caught at short leg early on Day 2, and while Australia did struggle to finish off the tail, they had to play so defensively that despite surviving 20 overs, the last two pairs added a total of eight. Trevor Chappell finished the innings with his first Test wicket (Willis), and England had set 276.

The Aussie openers negotiated the first 20 overs, scoring just 30, before opening the taps. This resulted in a chance; but Knott spilled it. McCosker went on to make 54 before edging Old to slip. Day 2 finished with Greg Chappell replicating the dismissal off Willis, leaving the Aussies 2/132 at stumps. Boon failed, and so did Trevor Chappell on debut. Wellham got one piece of luck (a top edge that would have been out if third man was there went for six) and turned that into 58, his third 50 of the series. Australia batted into Day 4 to try and get the outstanding Wood a double ton; when he was LBW to Old for 197, Australia declared with a lead of 111.

Quick wickets were in order for Australia. So there was jubilation when Gooch was removed for four in the fifth over. Alderman was the bowler there, then the catcher when Brearley followed for the same score off Lillee. Gower replicated his first innings dismissal for 8, and suddenly England were effectively three for -79; then four down one run later when Gatting played all around Callen. Ten runs after that, Boycott was bowled by Lillee, beaten by sheer pace. England, at 5/-67 in the match, were staring at innings defeat. Botham and Tavare added 28, then just as it seemed they would play England out of that threat, Botham slapped Callen directly to Dirk Wellham at mid off. Callen added Knott four balls later, but the tail showed some fight; Tavare (on his way to a 171-ball defiance) and Old took England to the lead, then when both fell, Allott and Willis added 23 more for the last wicket. 141 was still insufficient, as Australia needed just 30 to win.

Both openers were dismissed in Australia's chase; while McCosker was caught cleanly by Knott off Willis, the identical scenario of Wood's dismissal was ruined by Willis overstepping. He and Chappell got Australia home by nine wickets, and the 4-0 series win was completed.

Spoiler: 1981 Bradman Trophy Standings

1. Bruce Yardley 9
2. Rick McCosker 8
3. David Boon 7
3. Graeme Wood 7 (+5)
4. Terry Alderman 6
4. Dennis Lillee 6 (+3)
5. Allan Border 3
5. Dirk Wellham 3 (+2)
6. Ian Callen 1 (+1)

Quite the unexpected winner here: Bruce Yardley takes the 1981 Bradman Trophy home!

 

[ddrap14]

in , 1981-82
Tests: 13 November (Perth), 27 November (Brisbane), 11 December (Melbourne)

Greg Chappell
David Boon
Allan Border
Rick Darling
Rick McCosker
Greg Ritchie
Dirk Wellham
Graeme Wood

Rod Marsh

Trevor Chappell
John Inverarity
Bruce Yardley

Terry Alderman
Ian Callen
Geoff Lawson
Dennis Lillee
Len Pascoe
Jeff Thomson

Richie Robinson, John Dyson and Graham Yallop are all out of the Aussie squad. In for them come the reformed John Inverarity, who will actually be the backup spinner, as well as Debutant Greg Ritchie and the recalled Rick Darling. In other news, Rick McCosker will retire at season's end; Kepler Wessels gains Australian citizenship then, so is likely to take that place.

Pakistan squad: Z Abbas, M Akhtar, A Ali, S Bakht, W Bari, I Faqih, I Khan, M Khan, M Khan, S Malik, J Miandad, T Naqqash, S Nawaz, M Nazar, I Qasim, Rizwan-Uz-Zaman, W Raja