English Cricket Team in Australia in 1986–87 - Lead-up To The Series

Lead-up To The Series

Both England and Australia begun this series at a low ebb. England had lost 5-0 against the West Indies the previous year, then lost 2-0 and 1-0 to India and New Zealand respectively during the England summer. Australia, during the same period, had lost two series against New Zealand (2-1 and 1-0) and drew two series against India. While Australia had emerged with a drawn series from their tour of India, they had struggled against India at home the previous season and India had been unlucky not to have won the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Considering the losses that both teams had sustained, it was only natural that many felt this series was merely a battle for Test cricket's Wooden spoon. Australia had managed a tie in Madras and many commentators felt that Australia's batting had strengthened somewhat. The performances of Victorian batsmen Dean Jones and the new opening pair of David Boon and Geoff Marsh had been noted. Young NSW all-rounder, Stephen Waugh, was also beginning to make his presence felt, although certainly not to the level that many expected him. The bowling was still problematic, although Bruce Reid had begun to perform well.

When England began their tour in October 1986, they were immediately in trouble as they lost against Queensland by 5 wickets. They especially had trouble with Dirk Tazelaar, a tall, left arm bowler, who took 4/34 in the first innings. England's batsmen seemed hopelessly out of form, although Ian Botham managed to hit an ominous 86 off 67 balls, including eleven fours and four sixes - one six shattering a window at long-off. When fielding, England's woes continued, with many catches dropped despite some effective bowling.

A morale boosting 5 wicket victory against South Australia followed. Allan Lamb and tour debutant James Whitaker hit centuries while spinner John Emburey found form. It also marked the end of a depressing run of fourteen losses for the England team at first class level (including Test and tour matches). Parkinson, another left-arm fast bowler, took 5/87 in England's first innings. Experts began to question England's vulnerability against left arm quicks.

The tour then began to fall apart again with an embarrassing performance against Western Australia. Rain ensured the match ended in a draw, but England would have easily lost had the rain stayed away. Five catches were dropped in the first innings as Australian opener Geoff Marsh scored 124 in 345 minutes. Two left-arm quicks, Chris Matthews and Bruce Reid, took four wickets each as England collapsed for 152. Marsh then batted 246 minutes for his 63 in the second innings as Western Australia looked for a declaration. The match ended with England 6 for 153 and desperately avoided defeat. David Gower, a very important member of the England lineup, had been dismissed for a zero in both innings. Captain Mike Gatting, vice captain Allan Lamb and backup opener Wilf Slack had also been dismissed for zero once each during the match.

Australia therefore approached the 1st Test as clear favourites. Martin Johnson of The Independent wrote that the English team "had only three things wrong with them - can't bat, can't bowl, can't field". Australia selected two left arm fast bowlers - Bruce Reid and Chris Matthews (both from Western Australia) - to take advantage of the clear problem the English batsmen had with this sort of bowling.