†ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA 1985

At Old Trafford, May 30. Australia won by three wickets. After choosing to bat, England soon lost Fowler, Gower and Lamb, Lawson removing the last two with successive balls in the best spell of bowling in the match. But Gooch, back in the England side after serving a three-year ban for having played in South Africa, and Botham added 116 in 28 overs. The manner of Botham's dismissal, bowled while attempting a reverse sweep, marred an otherwise splendid innings. He was fifth out at 160 with a possible fifteen overs left, but Gatting ran out of partners and for England a final total of 219 was disappointing. For most of Australia's innings neither side could claim any advantage. If anything, England looked the likelier winners when Border was fifth out in the 44th over. But Phillips, until he fell to a spectacular catch by Gatting at short third man, Matthews and Lawson all found England's leg-stump attack to their liking, and Australia got home with five balls to spare. Brian Statham's choice of Botham as Man of the Match, at the end of a sunny day, caused some surprise, Botham having been seen to throw away his wicket at an important time.

Man of the Match: I. T. Botham. Attendance: 20,087; receipts: £139,978.