The Australians visited England twelve times from 1948 to 1988. The 1948 series is hailed as one of the best ever played in cricket history. Australia remained unbeaten throughout the tour under Sir Donald Bradman, while winning four matches. Yet, England has a slight overall edge over Australia by winning five series (in 1953, 1956, 1977, 1981 and 1985) against four by Australia (in 1948, 1961, 1964 and 1975). The series in 1968 and 1972 and the Centenary Test in 1980 were all drawn.

The significant features of the Ashes test matches of this era are as follows:

1948 Series:
England were dismissed for their lowest total in Test cricket - 52 at the Oval in 1948. In this series Arthur Morris scored three hundreds (105 at Lords, 182 at Leeds and 196 at the Oval) for Australia.

1953 Series:
England regained the Ashes in 1953 after losing three post war series. England were captained by Sir Len Hutton. Lindsay Hassett led the visitors.

Historic venue: Old Trafford during the 1956, 1961 & 1964 series:

1. Jim Laker created history with a record haul of 19 for 90 at Old Trafford and 46 in the series to help England retain the Ashes 2-1 in 1956.
2. The scene was reversed at the same ground five years later when Richie Benaud claimed 6 for 70 and England collapsed from 150 for 1 to lose the Old Trafford Test by 54 runs and eventually the 1961 Ashes Series.
3. Old Trafford in 1964, was again the venue to produce the only instance in Ashes Series when both teams amassed more than 600 runs in an innings in a drawn Test. Australia scored 656 for 8 and declared (Bob Simpson 311) and England replied with 611 (Ken Barrington 256). Australia won the 1964 Series 1-0.

Bob Massie's record in the 1972 series:
More than anything else Bob Massie's 16 for 137 at Lords in his first appearance against England overshadowed all other events of the drawn series in 1972.

Ian Chappell lost the inaugural WC final but won the 1975 Ashes:
The Australian pace attack of Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Max Walker, Gary Gilmour gave the edge to Australia to win the 1975 Series 1-0.

England won convincingly in 1977:
England convincingly won the 1977 Series 3-0. Bob Woolmer, Geoff Boycott, Alan Knott, Ian Botham were England's prominent performers.

1981 - The series of dramatic matches:
In 1981 England won dramatically at Leeds by 18 runs after being forced to follow-on and at Edgbaston by 29 runs which was another turn around by England. England won the Series 3-1.

Ian Botham gave amazing all-round performance. He scored 399 runs and claimed 34 wickets in the series. At Headingley, he first took 6 for 95 and later scored 50 and 149 (148) not out.

In the next test at Edgbaston, in an inspired spell of 28 deliveries, he took five wickets for just one run.

More ferocious yet effortless power of dazzling stroke-play was exhibited by the renowned all-rounder at Old Trafford where he blasted 118 (102) with 6 sixes and 13 fours. He was simply outstanding.

David Gower led England from the front to win 1985 Series:
David Gower led England to a convincing 3-1 win over Australia in 1985 series. His own performances were superb - 166 at Nottingham, 215 at Birmingham, and 157 at the Oval. His tally of runs in the series made him the highest scorer of runs for England in the Ashes Series in England - 732 (at 81.33). Allan Border led the Australians in this series.

Ian Botham was the best of English bowlers in the series with 31 wickets at an average of 27.00.

Leadership:
The following players captained England and Australia during the era.

England: Norman Yardley, Sir Len Hutton, Peter May, Colin Cowdrey, Ted Dexter, Tom Graveney, Ray Illingworth, Tony Greig, Mike Denness, Mike Brearley, Ian Botham and David Gower.

Australia: Sir Donald Bradman, Lindsay Hassett, Ian Johnson, Richie Benaud, Bob Simpson, Bill Lawry, Barry Jarman, Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell, Kim Hughes and Allan Border.

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