England have to match a feat last achieved 85 years ago to win the Ashes

The Ashes
Ashes

England’s second-successive defeat in Australia means they will have to match a feat which has only been achieved once before if they are to win the Ashes.

The only previous team to come from 2-0 down to win the urn were Australia in 1936-37, when Sir Donald Bradman made 810 runs at an average of 90.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at that series 85 years ago.

First Test, Brisbane:
England won by 322 runs

Gubby Allen bowls against Australia
Gubby Allen starred with bat and ball (PA)

A first innings of 358 built around Maurice Leyland’s century gave England a lead of 124 after Bill Voce took six for 41. England were wobbling at 144 for six second time around but captain Gubby Allen made 68 from number seven to set Australia 381 to win – and they were blown away for 58. They were seven for four after a duck for the great Bradman and some defiant late hitting from Arthur Chipperfield was in vain as Allen and Voce shared the nine wickets, with tail-ender Ernie McCormick absent hurt.

Second Test, Sydney:
England won by an innings and 22 runs

Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond led England to a second-Test win (PA)

Wally Hammond piled up 231 not out in England’s 426 for six declared, which proved sufficient as Voce led twin demolitions of the home batting line-up. He took four for 10, Allen adding three for 19, in a first innings of 80 all out and though Stan McCabe (93), Bradman (82) and Jack Fingleton (73) anchored a better second effort, they were dismissed for 324 as Voce and Hammond took three wickets apiece. England’s innings success left them 2-0 up and surely cruising towards the urn. Surely…?

Third Test, Melbourne:
Australia won by 365 runs

Don Bradman bats for Australia
Don Bradman found top form with a double-century (PA)

Both sides declared their first innings nine down, Australia on 200 and England curiously on just 76 after Morris Sievers took five for 21. Bradman, batting at number seven, made 270 and Fingleton 136 as Australia racked up an imposing 564 in the second innings to set England an unfeasible target of 689. They made it to 323 but spinner Chuck Fleetwood-Smith took five for 124 to see Australia to victory.

Fourth Test, Adelaide:
Australia won by 148 runs

England had a first-innings lead as opener Charlie Barnett’s century led them to 330 in response to the hosts’ 288. But another double-century from Bradman, this time 212 before offering a return catch to become one of Hammond’s five victims, underpinned an Australian total of 433 and six wickets for Fleetwood-Smith saw England bowled out for 243.

Fifth Test, Melbourne:
Australia won by an innings and 200 runs

Australia batsmen Don Bradman, left, and Stan McCabe
Don Bradman (left) and Stan McCabe were key to Australia’s fightback (PA)

Having fallen 2-0 down with an innings defeat, Australia completed their comeback in similarly-emphatic fashion. Bradman was this time dismissed for a mere 169, with centuries too for McCabe and Jack Badcock and 80 for Ross Gregory as Australia scored 604. England were unable to respond, Bill O’Reilly taking eight wickets in the match as they were dismissed for 239 and 165.

Wally Hammond

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