Decades Tournament - 1970s Australia v 1950s England

 

Perth's WACA ground served up a memorable inter generational Ashes contest, in which fortunes ebbed and flowed. England's 1950s side prevailed by 5 wickets over a tough and talented 1970s Australia, thanks in no small part to the batting of their captain, Peter May. 

He certainly needed the help of his bowlers in this Test, which began with Australia skittled for 174 on day 1 (Statham 4-29, Appleyard 4-36). 

England built a useful 1st innings lead of 129, but this was put into perspective by the fightback by McCosker (153) and Walters (233no). Rarely have we seen this England attack creak, yet quality bowlers looked impotent on a good pitch against masterly batting. 

The pair accounted for 85% of Australia's 2nd innings runs, and 327 on a wearing pitch was no easy task for England. 

Lillee removed Graveney 4th ball, but then May and Cowdrey settled into a partnership which eventually produced 252 runs and put the visitors on course for victory. Even on day 6 it was not the worst pitch to bat on, and when May was finally out to Walters for a scintillating 185 off 287 balls he had already sealed England's passage to the next round as well as assuring he was man of the match.

Australia 1970s: KR Stackpole; RB McCosker; GS Chappell [c]; KD Walters; R Edwards; RW Marsh [w]; MHN Walker; JR Thomson; DK Lillee; AA Mallett; G Dymock

England 1950s: TW Graveney; MC Cowdrey; PBH May [c]; KF Barrington; ER Dexter; JM Parks [w]; JC Laker; R Appleyard; FS Trueman; JB Statham; FH Tyson

Australia 1970s 1st Innings 174-10 (72.4 Ov)

MHN Walker 61*, KR Stackpole 58, JB Statham 4-29, R Appleyard 4-36, FS Trueman 2-32

England 1950s 1st Innings 303-10 (109 Ov)

PBH May 63, R Appleyard 45, JB Statham 42*, MHN Walker 4-53, DK Lillee 3-68

Australia 1970s 2nd Innings 455-10 (149.3 Ov)

KD Walters 233*, RB McCosker 153, GS Chappell 32, JB Statham 3-79, FS Trueman 3-83, FH Tyson 2-74

England 1950s 2nd Innings 331-5 (96 Ov)

PBH May 185, MC Cowdrey 100, ER Dexter 30*, DK Lillee 3-74

England 1950s won by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: PBH May