First he saw his countrymen lose the Ashes, now former Australian wicket-keeper Rodney Marsh has lost the battle of the tashes.

Marsh had a bet on the outcome of the series with former rival Mike Gatting back in July - with the loser promising to sacrifice his facial whiskers.

For the benefit of those who may have just returned from the moon, England clinched a 2-1 victory at The Oval on Monday - and Marsh's furry lip caterpillar disappeared soon afterwards.

Gatting, the last England captain to win the Ashes before Michael Vaughan, was only too happy to do the honours, although Marsh was less enthusiastic.

The Aussie, who up until recently was the head of England's Academy, said: "The wife wasn't too happy about it, but a bet's a bet!"

Gatting said he was relieved not to see the back of his beard, admitting: "I've had it quite a long time and my wife had threatened to divorce me if I shaved it off!"

Still, every cloud has a silver lining, and �3,000 was donated to the Lord's Taverners cricket charity by Ladbrokes as a result of the bet.