1982/83 - Fourth Test, Melbourne 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30 December England won by three runs

England 284 all out Chris Tavare 89 Allan Lamb 83 Australia 287 all out Kim Hughes 66 David Hookes 53 Rodney Marsh 53 England 294 all out Graeme Fowler 65 Australia 288 all out David Hookes 68 Allan Border 62no Norman Cowans 6-77

The 250th Test between the old foes was one of the most tense encounters.

In an amazingly even contest, only 10 runs separated the highest and lowest scores in the four innings.

And the final morning crowd of 18,000 were entertained and enthralled in equal measure as Allan Border and Jeff Thomson eyed an improbable victory.

The pair came together needing 74 runs to win and so nearly made it, even when Thomson edged Ian Botham four runs from victory.

Geoff Miller took the opportunity but only after Chris Tavare had parried the initial chance at second slip.

It would have been cruel on Tavare had the catch gone begging as he had been the bedrock of England's first innings.

Australia's reply finished within a day, as did England's second innings.

On the fourth day England held the initiative throughout, except when Kim Hughes and David Hookes were at the wicket.

England re-established their authority before so nearly losing it during the pulsating final-wicket stand that had the crowd on tenterhooks.

Did you know?
Jeff Thomson's dismissal was Ian Botham's 100th in Ashes matches and saw him become the fastest man to the 1000 runs/100 wickets double, achieving the feat in just 22 matches. 'Beefy' is the leading English wicket-taker in England-Australia matches, finishing with 148 victims at an average of 27.66 from his 36 matches versus the old enemy.

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