The Ashes series of 1974/75 will long be remembered by fans of Australian and English cricket for vastly different reasons.
It attracted huge crowds, both at the grounds and on television. On the pitch, Australia regained the Ashes with a series win after almost a decade. For England, it was a salutary lesson, especially the batters who were subjected to sustained, hostile fast bowling, the like of which they had not encountered since Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller.
The tone for what was to come was set in the first Test match, in Brisbane, where Australia won the toss and chose to bat. Captain Ian Chappell led the way for with 90 and his brother Greg scored 58 out of a total of 309. Bob Willis took 4-56 for England.
At 57/4, England were struggling in their reply, but 110 from Tony Greig helped rescue them and enabled to post a total of 265.
Australia batted again looking for quick runs to try and force a result, and 71 from the younger Chappell and unbeaten 62 from Doug Walters enabled them to declare on 288/5.
Set 333 to win, England were subject the searing pace and bounce of Jeff Thomson. They lost their top six with less than a hundred on the board. They were eventually bowled out for 166, with Thomson taking 6-46. Australia had won by 166 runs.
The sides headed west for the second Test in Perth, but the English fared no better. Put in to bat by Australia they were bowled out for just 208, wicketkeeper Alan Knott top-scoring with 51 as the wickets were shared by the Australian bowlers.
Australia then piled on the runs when it came to their turn to bat. Ross Edwards and Walters both made centuries (Walters at almost a run a ball) and Greg Chappell 62, out of a total of 481.
The veteran Fred Titmus made 61 the second time round for England as they compiled 293 all out, Thomson with 5-93 this time. That meant Australia were left with the simple task off scoring 21 to win, which they managed despite losing a wicket.