The Ashes series of 2019 saw the first use of a concussion substitute and also featured one of the finest innings ever seen in Test cricket.
It also saw David Warner and Steven Smith cast in the role of pantomime villains. Recalled after having served their international bans for their role in the Cape Town Sandpapergate controversy, they were greeted by a chorus of boos whenever they came out to bat.
Not that appeared to affect Smith in the slightest in the first Test match, at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
After Australia won the toss and batted, they appeared to be rocking at 122/8. However, Smith then made 144, sharing stands of 88 with Peter Siddle and 74 with Nathan Lyon. He helped Australia reach 284, which, in the context of the match, proved decisive.
In reply, England put themselves in the driving seat, opener Rory Burns making 133, Joe Root 57, and Ben Stokes 50, as they compiled 374.
Trailing on first innings, Smith again had a big part to play for Australia second time round, with 142. This time, he found support from Matthew Wade, who made 110, Travis Head, who made a fifty.
Their combined efforts helped Australia declare on 487/7, leaving England 398 to win.
England were dismissed for just 145, Lyon taking 6-49 and Pat Cummins 4-32. Australia won by 251 runs and there was only one candidate for man of the match – Smith.
He also played a big part in the second Test match, at Lord’s, although this time his side had to settle for the draw.
Australia won the toss and chosen to field, a decision that appeared vindicated when they managed to dismiss England for 258, despite 53 from Burns. However, Smith again dug his team out of a hole when they batted, his 92 helping rescue them from 102/5, enabling them to close on 250.
In England’s second innings, Ben Stokes provided an hors d’oeuvre of what he was to produce in the third Test match, at Headingley. Here, he made an unbeaten 115, including three sixes, helping England declare on 258/5.
Australia, requiring 267, were 154/6 when the umpires removed the bails for the final time.