†ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA 1981

At Lord"s, June 4. England won by six wickets, scoring the 211 they needed in the 52nd of their 55 overs. Australia were so short of practice, after one of the wettest Mays on record, that any other result would have come as a surprise. Put in by Botham, Australia (85 for four at lunch, after 31 overs) were indebted to Border"s 73 not out (one 6 and six 4s) for reaching 210 for seven. An opening partnership of 86 between Gooch and Boycott had set England on the way to victory by the time Lillee, in his penultimate over, removed Gooch and Gatting. Gower, however, got England"s innings on the move again and Botham finished off the match with one or two heavy blows. For an undefeated and typically dogged 75, Boycott was made Man of the Match. A crowd of 22,844 paid £117,575.