Chapman's Ashes — England Win 4-1 in Australia, 1928-29

England had not won the Ashes in Australia since 1911-12. Their 1928-29 selection — built around the 1927 county form of Hammond, Larwood and Geary, plus the experienced Hobbs and Sutcliffe — was widely judged the strongest English touring side since the war.

England's 1928-29 tour of Australia was the most successful overseas Ashes campaign of the inter-war period. Captained by the 28-year-old Kentish amateur Percy Chapman, the side included Hobbs (then 46), Sutcliffe, Hammond, Hendren, Larwood, Tate and Geary. Australia, captained by Jack Ryder after Herbert Collins's retirement, fielded an experienced side around Bradman, Ponsford, Woodfull, Kippax, Ryder, Grimmett and Wall.

The first Test at Brisbane was won by England by 675 runs — the largest victory in Test history. The second Test at Sydney was won by 8 wickets after Hammond's 251. The third Test at Melbourne was won by England by 3 wickets after Hammond's 200 and Bradman's first Test hundred (112 in the second innings). The fourth Test at Adelaide was the closest — England won by 12 runs after Hammond's 119* and a tense final-day chase. The fifth Test at Melbourne was won by Australia by 5 wickets after Bradman's 123 — the only Australian Test win of the series.

The series was the founding moment of Wally Hammond as a Test batsman (905 runs in five Tests at 113.12) and the start of Don Bradman's Test career (468 runs at 66.85 across the four Tests he played). Chapman's tactical generalship — including the contentious 'leg-theory' fields he set for Larwood at Brisbane and Adelaide — was widely praised.

“We had the best four batsmen in the world, the fastest bowler, and the best captain. We could not have lost.”

Chapman remained England captain for the start of the 1930 home Ashes, but lost the captaincy to Bob Wyatt mid-series after the loss at Headingley (where Bradman made 334). Hammond and Bradman would dominate the next six years of Test cricket between them.