The Ashes Series odds are invariably stacked against England when travelling to Australia, but Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Co can take heart from some past upset victories Down Under.
Away results have been mixed during the ‘Bazball’ era, with eight Tests won and the same number lost. There have been series triumphs in Pakistan and New Zealand, but a 4-1 defeat in India after getting off to a flying start is less encouraging.
However, one thing we can be certain of is that the current England camp will not die wondering, and these are the last three Ashes Series wins in Australia they can draw inspiration from:
England Ashes Wins
1978/79 – ENGLAND 5 AUSTRALIA 1
1978/79 – ENGLAND 5 AUSTRALIA 1
Against the backdrop of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which weakened both sides but particularly the hosts, the tourists completed their biggest victory.
An Australian side badly missing Greg Chappell were thrashed at the Gabba and Perth, saved face in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, but were then outclassed in the new year, including two big losses in Sydney.
Captain: Mike Brearley
Top run-scorer: David Gower (420)
Top wicket-taker: Geoff Miller (23)
1986/87 - ENGLAND 2 AUSTRALIA 1
1986/87 - ENGLAND 2 AUSTRALIA 1
Early struggles in the warm-up period led to the now-famous assessment by British journalist Martin Johnson that England suffered from three key problems: "They can't bat, they can't bowl, and they can't field." But a squad full of big characters, such as Ian Botham, was on the up after a low ebb and set the tone by making Australia follow on as they took the opener in Brisbane.
After two draws, they sealed the urn with a game to spare, winning by an innings after skittling their hosts for less than 200 in both innings at the MCG. This success was made all the more significant by a prolonged period of Australian dominance, which followed as the Baggy Greens came out on top in the next eight series!
Captain: Mike Gatting
Top run-scorer: Chris Broad (487)
Top wicket-taker: John Emburey (18)
2010/11 - ENGLAND 3 AUSTRALIA 1
2010/11 - ENGLAND 3 AUSTRALIA 1
Having recovered from a 5-0 thrashing in Australia to reclaim the Ashes on home soil in 2009, head coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss set their sights on unseating their rivals in their own backyard.
Boasting an outstanding team that seemingly had every base covered, they bounced back from Peter Siddle's opening day hat-trick to draw the first match, then ran up thumping innings wins in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Only defeat at Perth blotted their copybook but this was a textbook away success from a team who went on to be crowned world number one within a matter of months.
Captain: Andrew Strauss
Top run-scorer: Alastair Cook (766)
Top wicket-taker: James Anderson (24)
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