Australia, The Gabba, 10-16 February 1933
England won by six wickets
The Bodyline controversy subsumed this series, but Eddie Paynter’s deeds are as incredible as any in England’s 144 years of touring. In hospital with a temperature and tonsillitis, he left his bed to bat in this fourth Test and returned 24 not out overnight, eventually falling for 83 the following day. In the second innings, he secured match and urn with a six.
Australia, MCG, 31 December 1954-5 January 1955
England won by 128 runs
Frank Tyson played 17 Tests but he made them count, taking 76 wickets at 18.56, with a fair few souls to go with them. Those whose displeasure it was to face him never experienced anything faster and after shortening his run-up mid-series he dominated the remainder, his second-innings spell of seven for 27 in this third Test enshrined as one of the most terrifying in history.
India, Chennai 13-18 January 1985
England won by nine wickets
The five-match series was tied at 1-1 and when India won the toss at the fourth Test, England must have feared the worst. But Neil Foster took six wickets as India were rolled for 272, after which Graeme Fowler and Mike Gatting made double centuries, the declaration eventually coming on 652 for seven. Foster took five in India’s second innings, setting up a memorable win.
West Indies, Sabina Park 24 February-1 March 1990
England won by nine wickets
No one gave England a chance before this first Test and with good reason. West Indies, though past their peak, were still stuffed with genius, while the tourists’ pace attack was led by Gladstone Small and Devon Malcolm. But, somehow, it worked. Malcolm dismissed Viv Richards cheaply, twice, while a first-innings stand of 172 between Allan Lamb and Robin Smith turned the match.
Pakistan, at Karachi 7-11 December 2000
England won by six wickets
With the series tied at 0-0, England conceded a first-innings lead in this third Test that looked like being definitive, given the particular difficulties of subcontinental chases and the even more particular difficulties of 90s England. But they hustled Pakistan out for 158, allowing Graham Thorpe and Nasser Hussain to see them home in near darkness.
