Australian cricket team in England in 1981
cricket series
The tour by the Australian cricket team in England in 1981 included the 51st Ashes series of Test matches between Australia and England. Despite having been 1–0 down after two Tests, England won the next three to finish 3–1 victors (with two draws), thus retaining the Ashes.
Australian squad
Australia's regular captain Greg Chappell made himself unavailable for selection, and Kim Hughes was re-instated. The Australian squad selected for the tour was as follows:
Batsmen – Kim Hughes (captain), Allan Border, Graeme Wood, John Dyson, Graham Yallop, Martin Kent, Dirk Wellham, Trevor Chappell
Fast bowlers – Dennis Lillee, Terry Alderman, Rodney Hogg, Geoff Lawson
Spinners – Ray Bright, Graeme Beard
Wicketkeeper – Rod Marsh, Steve Rixon
Selection controversies
Doug Walters was overlooked despite a strong summer at home. This resulted in protests from fans and Walters' eventual retirement from first class cricket.
Bruce Yardley had been Australia's most successful spinner that summer with 47 wickets, followed by Jim Higgs with 38. The selectors preferred Ray Bright (22 wickets at 40) and Graeme Beard (29 wickets at 25).
Replacements
Mike Whitney was called up as a replacement during the tour.
Test series
Although the two teams were ranked below the mighty West Indies of that era, the 1981 Ashes is nevertheless widely regarded as one of the most entertaining Test series ever due to the see-sawing nature of both the individual games and the series as a whole.
England won the series 3–1 despite being 1–0 down after the first two Tests.
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