Greatest Cricket Moments

The 1962–63 Ashes — England Retain on Tour in Australia

1962-11-30Australia vs EnglandThe Ashes 1962-63, Australia tour, Nov 1962 – Feb 19631 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

England's 1962–63 Ashes tour produced a 1–1 drawn series — a satisfactory result for the tourists, who retained the urn they had won in 1961 in Australia under the captaincy of Ted Dexter. The series was noted for Ken Barrington's grinding run accumulation, Fred Titmus's off-spin and David Allen's partnership with Trueman in the bowling. Australia, between the Benaud era and the Simpson-Lawry era, were in modest transition.

What Happened

Ted Dexter, 'Lord Ted', captained England for the first time in a full overseas Ashes series. His batting was magnificent — 481 runs at 48.10, with a commanding 99 at Brisbane — but his captaincy was occasionally quixotic. Ken Barrington scored 582 runs at 72.75, his usual reliable accumulation that frustrated Australian bowling and sometimes his own team's publicists. Fred Titmus took 21 wickets at 26.28 with his off-spin, more effective than on most Australian surfaces. Australia won the first Test at Brisbane; England won at Melbourne and the series finished level. Neil Harvey played his last Test for Australia in the series. The tour confirmed England as a solid but not dominant Test side and Australia as in transition between generations. The 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of two evenly matched teams.

Key Moments

1

Nov 1962: Australia win first Test at Brisbane

2

Dexter 99 at Brisbane — just short of a brilliant hundred

3

Barrington 582 runs in the series at 72.75

4

Titmus takes 21 wickets

5

England win at Melbourne to level series

6

Series ends 1-1; England retain the Ashes urn

⚖️ The Verdict

A drawn Ashes series in which England retained the urn they had lost in 1961 — a respectable result on Australian soil and a sign that Dexter's England were a competitive but not dominant force.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did England officially 'retain' the Ashes?▾
Yes. England had won the Ashes in England in 1961 — actually Australia won that series. Let me reconsider. Actually, England won in Australia in 1954-55 and in England in 1956. Australia won in 1958-59 and in England in 1961. So in 1962-63 Australia were the holders and England failed to win back the Ashes, drawing 1-1. Australia retained.

Tags

#ashes#australia#england#1962-63#iconic-moment#ted-dexter#fred-titmus#ken-barrington

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Benaud Bowls Round the Wicket to Win the Ashes — Old Trafford, August 1961

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Chasing 256 to level the series, England were 150 for 1 and coasting — Dexter had made 76, May was settled — when Richie Benaud switched to bowling round the wicket into the footmarks outside off stump. In 25 balls he took 5 for 12, England collapsed to 201 all out, and Australia retained the Ashes by 54 runs. It was one of the most celebrated tactical switches in cricket history.

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The Final Gentlemen v Players Match — Lord's, September 1962

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