The Ultimate Test Series: Proteas' historic win Down Under vs Bodyline

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’ll reveal day-by-day. Here's where we'll need your help.

Keep your eyes across our social channels and get voting when the time comes.

On day three, South Africa's successful series Down Under in 2008/09 takes on England's in 1932/33.

Australia vs South Africa - 2008/091-2 to South Africa across three Tests

Australia had not lost a Test series at home since 1992/93 when Graeme Smith’s South Africa arrived in 2008.

That record didn’t look to be at risk when they set South Africa a target of 414 – just four runs fewer than the highest successful chase of all time - to win on a cracking WACA deck. Carried by centuries from Smith and AB de Villiers, the Proteas pulled it off with six wickets to spare as JP Duminy impressed with an unbeaten 50 under pressure on debut.

A Test later and Australia’s unbeaten series run at home came to an end as Dale Steyn took twin five-fors at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Duminy scored a brilliant 166. This time around the Proteas only had to chase down a target of 183.

Australia went on to take out the final Test – a match that will always be remembered for the sight of Smith walking out to bat at No.11 with a broken hand.

Australia vs England - 1932/331-4 to England across five Tests

A series as infamous as it is revered, England’s 1932/33 tour of Australia is better known as the Bodyline series.

Driven by a desire to reclaim the urn and keep Don Bradman under control, England captain Douglas Jardine employed the fast leg theory against Australia. Essentially, he had his arsenal of fast bowlers pepper Australia’s much-vaunted batting order with short balls at the body with a packed legside field.

As a tactic it proved effective enough for England to take out the series 4-1, with Bradman averaging a more human 396 at 56.57 – still the third most runs and second-best average of any batter in the series.

However, the approach was met by scorn in the press, while local crowds made their displeasure heard loud and clear, and tensions escalated between the two boards. In the years after the series, the laws of the game were amended to effectively put an end to the use of Bodyline bowling.

On the field, the series saw fine centuries from Stan McCabe and Bradman for Australia, and Herbert Sutcliffe and Wally Hammond for England, as well as 33 wickets to Larwood.