Archive, 1978: England win Ashes Test in Perth – match report

21 Dec 1978: It is nearly 50 years since the last – and only – time an England side won a Test in the western Australia cityIf Australia were to have any hope of winning the second Test in Perth yesterday it was essential that the two overnight batsmen, Wood and Hughes, remain in harness for as long as possible. As it proved they stayed together for only 40 minutes and that was not long enough. At lunch the innings was in a serious state of decay and at tea the contest was over with England winning by 166 runs and taking a lead of 2-0 in the six-match series.Melbourne, where the third Test starts on 29 December, offers Australia possibly their last chance of a reprieve. They cannot afford another defeat there. Continue reading...

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