A Brief History of Cricket Down Under

The series looks at Australian cricket during the 1980s, a period of change and rebuilding. It covers the rise of important players, major matches, rivalries and the events that helped shape Australia's future in international cricket.

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  1.Fortress Australia

  07-12-202351 min

  The intimidating Australian home environment of the 1980s; Australia's fast-bowling attack, hostile crowds and difficult wickets.

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  2.Thrillers

  14-12-202356 min

  Dramatic, close finishes from 1980s international cricket, including matches that went down to the final moments.

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  3.Out of Left Field

  21-12-202352 min

  Unusual and unexpected incidents from 1980s cricket — moments that seemed almost unbelievable after more than a century of international cricket.

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  4.The Pace Race

  28-12-202353 min

  The explosion of fast bowling: Australia's older pace stars and the legendary West Indies four-man pace attack.

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  5.One Of a Kind

  04-01-202454 min

  Exceptional personalities and players who became cricket icons through more than simply statistics.

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  6.One Day Revolution

  11-01-202455 min

  The transformation of limited-overs cricket and the development of ODI cricket as a major form of the game.

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  7.Master Blaster

  18-01-202454 min

  The great run-scorers of the decade and the batsmen who dominated attacks.

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  8.Gaining The Edge

  25-01-202455 min

  Reverse swing, slow bowling, bat technology and team culture — innovations that gave teams an advantage.

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  9.Rivals

  01-02-202453 min

  The increasingly competitive and professional nature of international cricket in the 1980s.

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  10.The Leadership Factor

  08-02-202457 min

  The captains and leadership styles that shaped teams during the decade.

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  11.The Underarm Ball

  15-02-202455 min

  Australia vs New Zealand, MCG, 1 February 1981 — Trevor Chappell's infamous underarm delivery to Brian McKechnie.