1986/87 - Fifth Test, Sydney 10, 11, 12, 14 & 15 January Australia won by 55 runs

Australia 343 all out Dean Jones 184no Gladstone Small 5-75 England 275 all out David Gower 72 John Emburey 69 Peter Taylor 6-78 Australia 251 all out Steve Waugh 73 John Emburey 7-78 England 264 all out Mike Gatting 96 Peter Sleep 5-72

The Ashes may have been lost but Australia refused to give up at spin-friendly Sydney.

When the selectors plucked Peter Taylor from obscurity for his debut, home supporters must have thought another disappointment loomed.

The team was in a state of crisis and the answer was an unknown off-spinner on the fringe of the New South Wales side.

There had to be some mistake and opinion suggested they had meant to call on Mark Taylor instead.

But Peter it was and he duly took the plaudits for his performance with both bat and ball as Australia recorded their first win in 15 matches.

The hosts started well with Dean Jones to the fore and their bowlers carried on the good work, putting England under pressure for the first time in the series.

And then Taylor struck, taking six wickets before adding 98 for the eighth wicket in Australia's second innings.

Needing 320 to win, England were making good progress on the final afternoon, five wickets in hand with 90 needed.

But then Taylor's spin partner Peter Sleep took up the challenge, and Australia closed out the match with an over to spare.

Did you know?
The win was Australia's first in nine Ashes Tests and heralded a change in fortune, they were unbeaten for the next 17.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version