The Ultimate Test Series: Australia end Windies' reign vs Botham's Ashes
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Ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final, we’re looking to crown The Ultimate Test Series – a Test series that would stand out in any era for both its significance to the sport’s rich history and the level of cricket played.
We’ve whittled it down to 16 Test series from all time, which we have revealed over the past few days. Here's where we'll need your help.
Keep your eyes across our social channels and get voting when the time comes.
In the final clash of the round of 16, Australia's era ending victory over the West Indies in 1995 takes on "Ian Botham's Ashes" of 1981.
West Indies-Australia, 1995
2-1 to Australia across four Tests
The series that brought an end to the dominance the West Indies had asserted over international cricket since the 1980s.
Prior to Australia’s visit, the Caribbean outfit had not tasted Test series defeat in 15 years, losing just 15 matches in that time. Only four of those losses had come at home, putting into context the enormity of the feat the touring Australian side accomplished with their 2-1 victory.
The Aussies got off to a flyer, inflicting a heavy 10-wicket loss on the hosts in the opening Test in Barbados as a young Glenn McGrath took eight wickets for the match.
Despite a six-for from Courtney Walsh, the Australians managed to force a draw in the second Test but there would be no denying the West Indies in the third.
On a green seaming track, the West Indies won by nine wickets, with Curtley Ambrose taking nine wickets for the Test. The match is best remembered for the battle between Ambrose and Steve Waugh, who was the one player from either side to pass 50 for the match.
Having shown serious gumption in defeat, Waugh stepped up in the series decider with a serene 200 which wound up ending the Windies’ 15-year streak. The defeat by an innings and 53 runs marked the end of an era and the commencement of another.
England-Australia, 19813-2 to England across six Tests
The 1981 Ashes is fondly remembered in England as ‘Botham’s Ashes’ - such was the impact the all-rounder had on the course of the series.
The Australians came out on top in a low-scoring encounter at Trent Bridge to start the series, with Dennis Lillee taking nine wickets for the match, before a draw at Lord’s.
Botham had been relatively quiet across the first two matches but came out of his shell after relinquishing the captaincy ahead of the third Test.
At Headingley, he proved devastating with both bat and ball. Having taken six wickets in Australia’s first innings total of 401, Botham came out swinging after England were forced to follow on, blasting 149 at better than a run-a-ball. That was enough to help the hosts set a target of 130, which proved 19 too many for Australia as Bob Willis took eight wickets.
The result galvanised the English unit as they mounted another comeback victory in the fourth Test match in Edgbaston before sealing the series with a 103-run victory in the fifth Test match in Manchester.
The sixth and final Test at the Oval in London would end in a draw, with Lillee snaring 11 wickets and Botham 10. Botham finished the series with 399 runs and 34 wickets.
