Tour Photo Gallery The Ashes series of 1986-87 was hardly a classic, though it was an encounter made memorable by some heroic individual performances – Ian Botham's buccaneering century at Brisbane, Chris Broad's three hundreds in consecutive innings and Peter "Who?" Taylor's fairytale debut at Sydney, to name but a few. And, of course, as England's last Ashes victory for 16 years and counting, it has since acquired almost mythical status.

But, for any England fans contemplating the improbable this winter, it is worth recalling just how awful Australia were. England, who had been butchered 5-0 by the West Indies earlier in the year, and had slumped to home series defeats against India and New Zealand in the interim, still proved too strong for an Australian side who had managed only three wins in their previous 26 Tests. The 2002 Aussies, by contrast, have won 19 out of 26.

It was a happy tour, and England's success was built on solid foundations and a firm team ethic. Mike Gatting formed a successful partnership with the new coach Micky Stewart, and the squad overcame a brutal itinerary that involved three long-haul flights to Perth and a virtual avoidance of Sydney, the favoured city of all touring sides. Their efforts were made all the more impressive by a clean sweep in the one-day competitions that sandwiched the fifth Test.

However, the tour started woefully, with a five-wicket defeat against Queensland and a scarcely-deserved draw against Western Australia, and when Martin Johnson, filing his first report for the newly founded Independent newspaper, announced that there were only three things England couldn't do: "they can't bat, can't bowl and can't field," he could hardly be accused of hyperbole.

But come the first Test at Brisbane, form and pre-match predictions were thrown out of the window by Australia's old nemesis. Botham, who had not scored a Test century for three years and 21 Tests, proceeded to lamp 138 from No. 6, including 22 off an over from Merv Hughes. The 20-year-old Phil DeFreitas marked his Test debut with a vital 40 from No. 9 and Graham Dilley chipped in with five first-innings wickets. England duly romped to a seven-wicket win, and never looked back.

Broad came into his own in the second Test at Perth. His 162 put England beyond reach, while his 116 at Adelaide, in reply to Australia's hefty total of 514 for 5, left Australia needing back-to-back wins at Melbourne and Sydney to regain the Ashes. They failed. Broad was again on hand at the MCG, his 112 cemented England's advantage after a scarcely credible Australian collapse in the first innings. With everything to play for, Australia slumped to 140 all out, with five wickets apiece for Gladstone Small, a late replacement for the injured Dilley, and Botham, who was bowling off a shortened run after damaging a rib during the second Test.

The final Test was a joyful occasion, and a mini-classic, won by Australia with an over to spare on the final day. The hero of the hour was the debutant Taylor, a 30-year-old offspinner with only six first-class appearances to his name. At the time, it was widely assumed that the wrong Taylor had been called up – his NSW team-mate Mark would have to wait another two years for his chance – but Taylor rose to the occasion with eight wickets and a crucial 42 in the second innings. Australia's celebrations were heavily tinged with relief, though the victory marked the turning of the tide. It would be another six years and 16 matches before England would win another Ashes Test.

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