Greatest Cricket Moments

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

1961-08-01England vs Australia4th Test, The Ashes 1961, Old Trafford, Manchester, 27 Jul–1 Aug 19612 min readSeverity: Mild

Summary

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.

Background

Benaud had been searching for a way to attack the Old Trafford pitch, which had been taking spin since the second day. England's batsmen, accustomed to facing off-spin over the wicket, had not prepared for the angle and grip of leg-spin around it.

Build-Up

England were in command, and Benaud knew it. The decision to go round the wicket was his alone — he had discussed it with no one — and the first ball turned so sharply that even he was surprised.

What Happened

The 1961 series had been tense: England led 1-0 going into the fourth Test at Old Trafford, with one match already drawn. England needed to win to secure the Ashes; Australia needed to win to retain them. England batted first and made 367; Australia replied with 190, then 432. England were set 256 — gettable if they batted well. By mid-afternoon they were 150 for 1, Dexter having already fallen, but May and Subba Row appeared settled on a flat pitch. Benaud, who had been bowling without success from the Stretford End, decided to switch to round the wicket, angling the ball into the rough outside May's off stump created by the bowlers' follow-throughs. The first ball turned sharply and May was caught at slip. In the next 25 deliveries Benaud took five wickets: May, Close, Allen, Trueman and Murray, finishing with figures of 6 for 70 in the innings and 11 for 105 in the match. England's last nine wickets fell for 51 runs. When the last wicket fell Benaud had not only won the match but retained the Ashes, and the Stretford End crowd — heavily pro-England — gave the Australian captain a standing ovation. The image of Benaud, sleeves rolled, bowling around the wicket into the rough, became one of cricket's canonical photographs.

Key Moments

1

England set 256 to level the series

2

150-1 at tea: England appear to be coasting

3

Benaud switches to round the wicket, bowling into footmarks

4

May caught at slip off first ball of the new tactic

5

5 for 12 in 25 balls; England all out 201

6

Australia win by 54 runs and retain the Ashes

Timeline

27 Jul 1961

England bat first, make 367

29 Jul

Australia make 190 (1st innings)

30 Jul

Australia make 432 (2nd innings); England set 256

1 Aug, afternoon

England 150-1; Benaud switches to round the wicket

1 Aug, 5pm

England all out 201; Australia win by 54, retain Ashes

Notable Quotes

“I thought: if it turns, I've got a chance. And then the first one turned about a foot and May was gone.”

— Richie Benaud on his decision to switch to round the wicket

“It was the greatest piece of bowling captaincy I have ever seen.”

— Ted Dexter

Aftermath

Australia won the series 2-1. Benaud finished with 15 wickets at 22.26 in the series. The Old Trafford spell is still taught as a masterclass in tactical captaincy and in using the rough created by footmarks.

⚖️ The Verdict

A captain's innings with the ball — the switch to round the wicket was Benaud's idea alone, taken on instinct at the critical moment — that saved the Ashes and confirmed his standing as the shrewdest captain of his generation.

Legacy & Impact

Benaud's round-the-wicket spell is replayed every time a captain needs an example of inspired mid-match thinking. Generations of leg-spinners — Shane Warne most prominently — have cited it as the defining image of what clever bowling can achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Had Benaud discussed the tactic with anyone?▾
No. He later said it was a pure instinct decision — he had been watching the rough outside May's off stump build up since the second day and simply felt the moment was right.
What was Benaud's final match analysis?▾
6 for 70 in the second innings, 11 for 105 in the match. It was his finest Test bowling performance.

Tags

#richie-benaud#ashes#old-trafford#1961#leg-spin#round-the-wicket#iconic-moment#australia#england

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