The Calendar Ashes: Third Test, June

This ninth match is the crème de la crème of calendar Tests.

England’s June-born team is the best of its 12, while Australia’s is just as strong. Fittingly, Lord’s – the home of cricket – will host the match, and in June as tradition dictates. The series is currently locked at 1-1, after tight contests at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston.

The home team has no weak links, and three all-time greats could not gain selection. It has a modern feel, with nine members having played since World War II.

The visitors are similarly powerful, and a number of very worthy candidates did not make the final XI. While it lacks a specialist spin bowler, it is still well balanced with variety and depth in bowling. Three middle-order batsmen share a birthday, two of them unsurprisingly. As with England, the team has a contemporary feel, with ten members having played since World War II.

Lord’s has hosted 139 Tests to date, including 37 Ashes matches. The overall tally is seven wins to England, 15 to Australia, and 15 draws. Australia also holds a large batting average margin of 32.03 to 29.22, equivalent to a 56-run advantage. In addition to those results, Australia has also beaten South Africa in 1912, and Pakistan in 2010.

I’m backing Australia in a very close one, with its imposing record tipping the scales in its favour. Since 1948 alone, the Aussies have recorded 11 wins and only two losses at its home away from home. The toss and first session will be crucial. And if you disagree, then I’d love to discuss it with you.

England June-born

Sir Leonard Hutton (captain)
79 Tests, 1937-1955, 6971 runs at 56.67, 19 centuries
Hutton was one of cricket’s greatest and most technically correct opening batsmen, and sits third in the ICC’s all-time batting rankings. Against Australia he scored 2428 runs at 54.46, his highest innings being 364 at the Oval in 1938. He captained England 23 times without losing a series, regaining the Ashes in 1953 and then retaining them in 1954-55. His career was interrupted by World War II, which commenced when he was aged 23, and during which he suffered an injury in commando training that hospitalised him for eight months and shortened his left arm by two inches. He was the first Test batsman to be given out for obstructing the field.

John Edrich
77 Tests, 1963-1976, 5138 runs at 43.54, 12 centuries
Edrich was a brave left-handed opening batsman and was especially strong square of the wicket. In 32 matches against Australia, he scored 2644 runs at 48.96. His seven Ashes centuries included 175 at Lord’s in 1975, 164 at the Oval in 1968, and 120 at Lord’s in 1964. His injuries included being knocked unconscious by Peter Pollock at Lord’s in 1965, and having two ribs broken by Dennis Lillee at the SCG in 1974-75. Bill Edrich was his cousin.

Wally Hammond
85 Tests, 1927-1947, 7249 runs at 58.45, 22 centuries, 83 wickets at 37.80
Hammond was Sir Jack Hobbs’ successor as England’s finest batsman, and also a great fieldsman and medium-fast bowler. In Australia in 1928-29, he scored 905 runs at 113.12. Against Australia, he played 33 matches for 2852 runs at 51.85 with nine centuries, and 36 wickets at 44.77. However, his averages in 14 home Ashes matches were only 37.86 with the bat despite scoring 240 at Lord’s in 1938, and 73.30 with the ball. His career was interrupted by World War II, after which he led England’s Ashes tour of 1946-47 at age 43.

Kevin Pietersen
104 Tests, 2005-2014, 8181 runs at 47.28, 23 centuries
Pietersen was a flamboyant top-order batsman and – briefly and controversially – captain. He debuted against Australia at Lord’s, and in that historic series scored 473 runs at 52.55 to help England regain the Ashes. Against Australia he played 27 matches and scored 2158 runs at 44.95. His Ashes centuries were 158 at the Oval in 2005, another 158 at Adelaide Oval in 2006-07, 227 at Adelaide Oval in 2010-11, and 113 at Old Trafford in 2013. Cricinfo states that “his autobiography was arguably the most outspoken in cricket history.” He was born in South Africa.

(Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

Kumar Shri ‘Smith’ Duleepsinhji
12 Tests, 1929-1931, 995 runs at 58.52, three centuries
Duleep was an elegant batsman and fine slip fieldsman, and nephew of the immortal Ranji. In 1930 he scored 173 at Lord’s in his first Ashes match, and 416 runs at 59.42 in that series. He retired aged 27 due to a heart condition, which forced his withdrawal from the Bodyline tour of 1932-33. He was born in India, and during the 1950s served as its High Commissioner in Australia and New Zealand. For his brilliant performances and unfulfilled promise, he shades Tom Graveney and George Gunn for the last batsman’s position.

Ben Stokes
63 Tests, 2013-present, 4056 runs at 36.54, nine centuries, 147 wickets at 32.68
Stokes is a hard-hitting left-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler, and England’s best all-rounder since Ian Botham. His greatest moments to date took place in 2019, being the ICC World Cup final at Lord’s followed by the Test victory over Australia at Headingley. In 14 Ashes matches he has scored 921 runs at 38.37 with three centuries, and taken 34 wickets at 35.94. In Cape Town in 2015-16 he scored 258 from 198 balls. He was born in New Zealand.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

George Lohmann
18 Tests, 1886-1896, 112 wickets at 10.75
Lohmann was a medium-fast seam bowler, useful batsman and brilliant slip fieldsman. With the ball, he was known for his accuracy and variations. In 15 matches against Australia he took 77 wickets at 13.01. His Ashes highlights included 7-36 and 5-68 at the Oval in 1886, 3-20 and 8-35 at the SCG in 1886-87, 5-17 and 4-35 at the SCG in 1887-88, and 8-58 and 2-84 at the SCG in 1891-92. In his other three Tests, in South Africa in 1895-96, he took 35 wickets at 5.80 on matting pitches. In the ICC’s all-time bowler rankings, he is second only to SF Barnes. He debuted aged 21 but contracted tuberculosis at 27, dying of it at the age of 36.

Steve ‘Bumpy’ Rhodes (wicketkeeper)
11 Tests, 1994-1995, 294 runs at 24.50, 46 catches, three stumpings
Rhodes was a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman. While his Test career spanned only nine months, it included the Ashes series of 1994-95. The son of a county wicketkeeper, he played 440 first-class matches across 24 years, and was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1994.

Stuart Broad
138 Tests, 2007-present, 3211 runs at 18.66, one century, 485 wickets at 28.50
Broad is a tall fast-medium bowler and useful left-handed lower-order batsman. He has taken 118 wickets at 29.35 in 32 matches against Australia, including 84 wickets at 26.19 in 20 matches at home. His Ashes highlights include 5-71 and 6-50 at Chester-le-Street in 2013, and 8-15 and 1-36 at Trent Bridge in 2015. Against India at Trent Bridge in 2011, he delivered a spell of 5-5 including a hat trick. He is his country’s second highest wicket-taker. His father Chris is an ICC match referee and former Test batsman.

Derek ‘Deadly’ Underwood
86 Tests, 1966-1982, 297 wickets at 25.83
Underwood was a medium-paced left-arm orthodox spin bowler, and right-handed batsman. He was known for his use of rain-affected pitches and his accuracy, and took ten wickets in a Test six times. In 29 matches against Australia he took 105 wickets at 26.38, including 55 wickets at 21.74 at home. His match-winning Ashes performances included 2-89 and 7-50 in a dramatic win with four minutes remaining at the Oval in 1968, 4-37 and 6-45 at Headingley in 1972, and 1-53 and 6-66 at Old Trafford in 1977. His career was interrupted by two years of World Series Cricket, and ended by a rebel tour to South Africa.

(Photo by S&G/PA Images via Getty Images)

Brian ‘George’ Statham
70 Tests, 1951-1965, 252 wickets at 24.84
Statham was a fast bowler known for accuracy and seam movement, impressive outfielder and left-handed batsman. In 22 matches against Australia, he took 69 wickets at 30.98. He formed successful combinations with first Frank Tyson and then Fred Trueman. He was double-jointed and could put his right arm completely around his head to touch his right ear, and vice versa. Solely because this match is taking place in England rather than Australia, he shades Frank Tyson for the final bowler’s position.

Honourable mentions: Tom Graveney, George Gunn, Allan Lamb, Mike Gatting, Frank Tyson, Moeen Ali, Ray Illingworth, Bob Appleyard.

Australia June-born

Charles ‘The Governor-General’ Macartney
35 Tests, 1907-1926, 2131 runs at 41.78, seven centuries, 45 wickets at 27.55
Macartney was considered an artistic batting genius, and worthy successor to Victor Trumper. He was also a skilful left-arm orthodox spin bowler. At Headingley in 1909, he took 7-58 and 4-27. His batting became progressively more dominant, and in his final 22 matches he scored 1695 runs at 60.54 with seven centuries. Against England at the SCG in 1911-12, he scored 137 and 56. His career was then interrupted by World War I, which commenced when he was aged 28. Post-war in England, he scored 773 runs in ten matches at 64.41, with four centuries. In 1921, he scored 345 in less than four hours against Nottinghamshire. In 1926, he scored 133 not out, 151 and 109 in successive Test innings at Lord’s, Headingley and Old Trafford. The innings of 151 commenced with a century before lunch on the first day, after Maurice Tate dismissed Warren Bardsley with the match’s first delivery.

Sid Barnes
13 Tests, 1938-1948, 1072 runs at 63.05, three centuries
Barnes was an outstanding batsman with strong off-side strokes, and a colourful personality. Against England at the SCG in 1946-47, he and Sir Donald Bradman each scored 234 and shared a 405-run partnership. In that series, he scored 443 runs at 73.83. In England in 1948, he scored 329 runs at 82.25 including 141 at Lord’s. His average in all Ashes matches was 70.50. His career was interrupted by World War II, which commenced when he was aged 23 and had played only one match. He played no Tests after the age of 32. In 1951-52, the Australian Board of Control rejected his selection for a Test on grounds other than cricket ability. In 1952-53, he asked to be made 12th man for a Sheffield Shield match and then carried drinks wearing a suit with carnation, while offering scent, cigars and a radio.

Marnus Labuschagne
14 Tests, 2018-present, 1459 runs at 63.43, four centuries
One swallow doesn’t make a summer, and one summer doesn’t make a career. But Labuschagne’s performances in his first 15 months of Test cricket have earned him selection over a number of very worthy other candidates including Shane Watson and Andrew Symonds.

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Steve ‘Smudge’ Smith
73 Tests, 2010-present, 7227 runs at 62.84, 26 centuries
Smith is the ICC’s second-ranked batsman of all time and a superb fieldsman, after debuting as a leg-spinning number eight. His Ashes record to date is 2800 runs at 65.11 including 11 centuries, in only 27 matches. Its highlights include 687 runs at 137.40 in 2017-18, 774 runs at 110.57 in 2019, and a double century in each of his past three series. Unfortunately he will forever bear the ignominy of Sandpaper-gate in South Africa in 2017-18, which cost him the Australian captaincy. He shares the same birthday (2 June) as the Waugh twins.

Mark ‘Junior’ Waugh
128 Tests, 1991-2002, 8029 runs at 41.81, 20 centuries, 59 wickets at 41.16
Mark Waugh was an elegant middle-order batsman, brilliant close-in fieldsman, and medium-pace bowler who subsequently reverted to off spin. He debuted at twin brother Steve’s expense, with 138 and 23 against England at the Adelaide Oval in 1990-91. In all Ashes matches, he scored 2204 runs at 50.09 including six centuries. In three series in England, he scored centuries at Edgbaston in 1993, and Lord’s and the Oval in 2001. He also enjoyed a successful early county stint with Essex.

Steve ‘Tugga’ Waugh (captain)
168 Tests, 1985-2004, 10,927 runs at 51.06, 32 centuries, 92 wickets at 37.44
Steve Waugh was a hard-headed batsman and captain, who led Australia to 15 of its world-record 16 consecutive wins. Against England, he averaged 58.18 with ten centuries. His highlights in England included an overall batting average of 74.22 with seven centuries, 177 not out at Headingley and 152 not out at Lord’s in 1989 (scoring 393 runs before being dismissed), and twin centuries at Old Trafford in 1997. He was a very capable medium-paced bowler, until restricted by back injuries.

(Clive Mason /Allsport)

Alan Davidson
44 Tests, 1953-1963, 1328 runs at 24.59, 186 wickets at 20.53
Davidson was a superb left-handed pace bowler, hard-hitting lower-order batsman, and outstanding fieldsman. He was able to move the ball in the air late and also off the pitch in either direction. Against India in Kanpur in 1959, he took 5-31 and 7-93. In the tied Test against the West Indies at the Gabba in 1960-61, he scored 44 and 80, and took 5-135 and 6-87. His best Ashes figures were 6-64 and 3-41 at the MCG in 1958-59, 5-42 and 2-50 at Lord’s in 1961, and 4-54 and 5-25 at the SCG in 1962-63. In the ICC’s all-time rankings, he holds 16th position among bowlers, and 15th among all-rounders.

Phil Emery (wicketkeeper)
One Test, 1994, five catches, one stumping
Emery was a dependable and long-serving wicketkeeper for New South Wales, and left-handed batsman. His sole match was as an injury replacement for Ian Healy in Lahore in 1994-95. In 121 first-class matches, he took 337 catches and made 47 stumpings.

Graham ‘Garth’ McKenzie
60 Tests, 1961-1971, 246 wickets at 29.78
McKenzie was a deceptively fast bowler who debuted at Lord’s as a teenager, and carried the Australian attack for many seasons. He played 25 matches in six Ashes series and took 96 wickets at 31.34, including 29 wickets at 22.55 in 1964. After retiring from Test cricket he played for Leicestershire, including in 1975 when it won its first County Championship.

Alan Connolly
29 Tests, 1963-1971, 102 wickets at 29.22
Connolly was a tearaway fast bowler, who transitioned to fast-medium and provided long spells of accurate seam and swing bowling in partnership with Graham McKenzie. In England in 1968, he took 23 wickets at 25.69. In South Africa in 1969-70, he took 20 wickets at 26.10 in four matches against a powerful batting line-up, while the well beaten team’s other fast bowlers collectively took only 17 wickets at 61.70. He also played two seasons at Lord’s for Middlesex, in 1969 and 1970. He retired aged only 31.

(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Terry Alderman
41 Tests, 1981-1991, 170 wickets at 27.15
Alderman was a fast-medium out-swing and off-cutter bowler and fine slip fieldsman, with an outstanding record in England. In his debut series in 1981, he took 42 wickets at 21.26. And in 1989, he took 41 wickets at 17.36 to spearhead the regaining of the Ashes. In all 17 matches against England, he took 100 wickets at 21.17. His career was interrupted by injury at the hands of a pitch invader at the WACA in 1982-83, and a subsequent rebel tour to South Africa. He also played county cricket for Gloucestershire and Kent.

Possible tour party members: Shane Watson, Ed Cowan, Andrew Symonds, Frank Iredale, John Dyson, Neil Hawke, Gary Gilmour, Carl Rackemann, Jack Hurwood.