Mike Gatting continued the success inspired by Gower

Going into the 1986-87 series it was England who held the Ashes, while Australia had gone 10 Tests without a win.

Mike Gatting had taken over the England captaincy from the victorious David Gower, while Allan Border continued at the helm for Australia.

England's preparations for the first Test in Brisbane had not gone well, struggling for form in the warm up matches they went into the opening match low on confidence.

Border sent England into bat and it was a decision that was to prove costly.

After the top order had laid the foundations for a healthy total, Ian Botham struck a tremendous 138 to help Gatting's men to an imposing 456.

Graham Dilley then took 5-68 as England bowled the hosts out for 248 and forced the follow-on.

Allan Border saved Australia in the second Test

Australia did little better second time around, and despite a defiant century from Geoff Marsh, England were left to chase just 75 for victory.

A brief wobble in the top order saw the tourists struggle to 40-3 before Gower joined Chris Broad to clinch a seven wicket win.

Gatting won the toss in Perth for the second Test and openers Broad and Bill Athey justified his decision to bat with an opening stand of 223.

Athey fell four runs short of a century but Broad (162), Gower (136) and Jack Richards (133) helped England to a commanding 592.

Australia were staring another follow-on full in the face until Border (125) guided them narrowly to safety and England ran out of time to force a positive result.

The Adelaide wicket for the third Test again produced a high scoring first innings.

David Boon was the only Australian to make three figures but all the batsmen contributed to a total of 514.

Chris Broad was outstanding for England

England replied with 455 thanks to centuries from Broad and Gatting but again the match drifted towards a draw.

The fourth Test, beginning on Boxing Day in Melbourne saw Gatting opt to field first and it paid dividends as Gladstone Small and Ian Botham with five wickets apiece skittled the home side out for 141.

For the third Test in a row Chris Broad scored a century, equalling a feat achieved only by Sir Jack Hobbs and Walter Hammond before him.

England totalled 349 and Phil Edmonds and John Emburey then bowled Australia out for 194 to seal the match by an innings and 14 runs.

It was a victory that was also to seal England's retention of the Ashes and it sent them to Sydney for the final Test in buoyant mood.

It mattered little that Australia would gain some consolation with a 55 run victory on a turning wicket, thanks to an unbeaten 184 from Dean Jones and seven wickets from debutant off-spinner Peter Taylor.

Victory was sealed with just an over to spare, and it broke Australia's win-less streak that had stretched to 14 games.