Heritage: Gladstone bruises Aussies on Boxing Day

Gladstone Small enjoyed the highlight of his England Test career on Boxing Day 38 years ago with a masterclass of swing bowling.

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2024-12-26T07:49:51.000Z

The Warwickshire legend was part of England’s Ashes squad touring Australia in Christmas 1986 but had been overlooked for the first three Tests.

However, an injury to Graham Dilley saw Small get the nod for the fourth Test in Melbourne – and he seized the opportunity in spectacular style.

Small – then aged 25 – ran through a formidable Australia batting line-up as he claimed 5-48 (his best figures in a Test) in Australia’s first innings and two more in the second.

His skill as an outswing bowler was underlined by the fact that all seven dismissals were out caught.

Taking the new ball on the opening morning, Small had David Boon caught at slip by Ian Botham, before adding the wickets of Dean Jones, Steve Waugh, Greg Matthews and Peter Sleep as the Baggy Greens were dismissed for 141.

England amassed a total of 340 in their reply with Small, batting at number 11, unbeaten on 21.

He again struck early in the hosts’ second innings, removing Boon cheaply for a second time, before claiming the prized wicket of skipper Allan Border.

England went on to win by an innings and 14 runs to claim the Ashes..

And Small – who had made his Test debut earlier that year at Trent Bridge vs New Zealand – was named Player of the Match.

This would be Small’s best performance for England. His only other International five-fer came in the Australian first innings of the final Test of the Series.