Top 5 lowest targets defended in Ashes Tests in Australia

England have defended the two lowest totals in the Ashes in Australia.

The Ashes is one of the biggest rivalries in test cricket, which witnesses bilateral series between Australia and England every two years. The history of the Ashes series spans more than a century. It began in 1882 with a three-match series between two of cricket’s greatest teams.

Test matches in England and Australia present a very different spectacle. While bowlers often tend to dominate at swing and seam-friendly pitches in England, batsmen have an upper hand in batting-friendly Australian grounds.

While Australian pitches are known for providing more assistance to batsmen, there were a few games in the Ashes where the batting unit completely failed to chase small targets. Interestingly, England hold the record for defending the top two lowest targets in the Ashes in Australia.

On that note, below are the top five lowest totals ever defended in The Ashes in Australia.

Ashes’ lowest targets defended in Australia-

5. 209 by England (Sydney, 1888)

Long back in 1888, England and Australia clashed in a one-off test in Sydney where the visitors defended a 209-run total. After being asked to bat first, England were bowled out for 113 runs in the clash, in which both teams failed to cross the 150-run mark across four innings.

England bundled out Australia for just 42 runs, gaining an early advantage. Despite getting all out for just 137 runs in the second innings, the visitors managed to set a powerful target of 209 runs for the hosts.

Just like in the first innings, Australia experienced a batting collapse, and the entire team was bowled out for just 82 runs, losing the match by 126 runs.

4. 179 by Australia (Melbourne, 1950)

In the second test of the five-match series in The Ashes 1950, Australia defended a 179-run target against England, winning the clash by 28 runs. The encounter took place at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, where the hosts opted to bat first.

With a half-century by captain Lindsay Hassett, Australia piled up 194/10 in the first innings, while England replied with 197 all-out, earning a three-run lead. In the second innings, Australia were bowled out for 181 runs with none of their batters hitting a fifty.

Despite a low target of 179 runs, England were bowled out for just 150 runs to lose the clash. For Australia, Bill Johnston clinched a four-wicket haul, with Ray Lindwall stealing three wickets to bring the team home in the low-scoring thriller.

3. 175 by England (Melbourne, 1998)

In the 4th test of The Ashes 1998, England defeated Australia by 12 runs after defending a 175-run target. England posted 270/10 in the first innings with a century by captain Alec Stewart. However, Australia gained a 70-run lead by piling up 340 runs with Steve Waugh’s unbeaten ton.

Getting bowled out for 224 runs in the second innings with fifties by three batsmen, England set a target of 175 runs for the hosts. Australia failed to replicate their powerful batting show in the second innings, getting all out for 162 runs. With his six-wicket haul, pacer Dean Headley played a pivotal role in England’s narrow victory.

2. 153 by England (Sydney, 1883)

England holds the record for defending the second-lowest target in the Ashes in Australia, a record set in the second Test of the 1883 Ashes series in Sydney.

After piling up 247 runs in the first innings, the visitors bowled out Australia for 218 runs. However, their batting collapsed in the second innings, as they were all out for 123 runs.

While the 153-run target looked like an easy target for The Aussies, they completely lost the plot as England wrapped them for just 83 runs on the board. Dick Barlow and Fred Morley, with seven and two wickets each, rocked with their bowling heroics at the SCG.

1. 111 by England (Sydney, 1887)

In the one-off test of The Ashes 1888 at Sydney Cricket Ground, England crushed Australia by 13 runs by successfully defending a 111-run target. This is the record for the lowest target ever defended in the Ashes on Australian soil.

England lost their wickets like a house of cards in the first innings, getting bowled out for just 45 runs. Australia responded with 119/10, gaining a good dominance after the end of the first innings.

However, the visitors bounced back in the second innings, setting a target of 111 runs for the hosts after putting up 184 runs on the scoreboard before getting all out.

England pacer Billy Barnes crushed the Aussies batters with his six-wicket haul, bundling them out for just 97 runs. This match is still remembered for England’s impeccable comeback in The Ashes.

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