Australia were already one up in the series by the time that the sides met in Headingley, Leeds, for the third Test.
It was a match that met an unexpected ending and made headlines across the world, not just on the back but the front pages as well.
It began with England winning the toss and choosing to bat first. John Edrich and David Steele shared a stand of 112 for the second wicket, with Edrich making 62 and Steele 73. Captain Tony Greig then made 51 before he was run out, helping England team post 288. Left-arm seamer Gary Gilmour took 6-85 for the Australians.
For the first time in the series, the Australian batting was put under pressure. Debutant left-arm spinner Phil Edmonds did most of the damage, claiming 5-28, as they were bowled out for just 135.
In their second innings, Steele again batted well for England making 92, backed up by Greig’s 49, as they closed their innings on 291.
That meant Australia needed 445 to win, and they made a good start to their run chase, McCosker making an unbeaten 95 and Ian Chappell 62, as they reached 220/3 at stumps on the fourth day of the match.
A thrilling finish seemed in store, but it was not to be.
Overnight, vandals had got into the Headingley ground dug holes in the popping crease and poured more than a gallon of oil on the surface. There was also graffiti outside the ground and on the bridges on the M1 motorway that linked London to Leeds.
The damage had been caused by the friends of George Davis, a London minicab driver who was in jail for his part in an alleged armed robbery – a crime they argued that he did not commit.
(The campaign was successful: Davis was later released but, in 1977 he was sent to jail again for his part in another armed robbery)
After examination of the pitch, it was agreed that the pitch was unplayable and the match was abandoned, meaning that Australia had retained the Ashes.
It made the fourth Test, at The Oval somewhat academic, but it was match of ebbs and flows anyway.
Australia batted and piled on the runs, with Ian Chappell making 192 and McCosker 127, sharing a stand of 277 for the second wicket. Doug Walters’ 65 and Ross Edwards’ 44 helped them declare on 532/9.
Jeff Thomson and Max Walker then took four wickets each to bowl out England for 191. Chappell inviting them to follow on.
Despite 96 from John Edrich, 77 from Graham Roope and 66 from Steele, England were struggling when Bob Woolmer, a man commentator Fred Trueman had described as not good enough for Test cricket, came to the crease.
Woolmer proved him wrong by grinding out an innings of 149. He found late support from Alan Knott, who made 64, they helped England reach 538.
There was just time for Australia to reach 40/2 before the draw was declared.