Nothing could separate the teams going into the fifth Test of the six-match 1985 Ashes series at Edgbaston. England’s win at Headingley had been countered by Australia triumphing at Lord’s, and a flat pitch at Trent Bridge, and bad weather at Old Trafford, meant that England were in desperate need of a win.
In truth, England had enjoyed the better end of the draw in Manchester, with Mike Gatting scoring his first Test century on home soil. Yet with Australia holding the urn after their 2-1 win in 1982/83, England knew that one defeat at either Edgbaston or the Oval would end their hopes of regaining the Ashes.
Weather would again frustrate David Gower’s men, with 41 overs lost in the first two days, and stubborn tail end resistance dragged Australia’s innings into Saturday morning. Fine bowling from Richard Ellison helped to reduce Australia to 218/7, yet a half century from Geoff Lawson, and useful contributions from Craig McDermott (35) and Jeff Thomson (28 not out) extended the total to 335.
Needing to force the issue, Gower was ably assisted by opener Tim Robinson, their eventual stand of 331 the second highest England partnership for any wicket against Australia. Ending day three on 355/1 from just 87 overs, the platform had been set for England to bat on until late on the Monday evening.
Another Gatting hundred, and a thrilling cameo of 18 from Ian Botham – he struck his first two deliveries for six in his five-ball stay at the crease – saw England declare on 595/5, and the stage was set for some early evening drama at Edgbaston. After Andrew Hilditch had once again fallen to the hook shot, Ellison was simply inspired.
His four-wicket spell on that Monday night looked to have clinched the match for England. The undoubted highlight was his dismissal of Australian skipper Allan Border, bowled through the gate to leave the tourists 36/5. One look at the celebrations inspired by Border’s wicket told a story; his was the prized scalp sought after by any Englishman that summer. Australia were teetering on the brink.
Once again, it appeared as if rain could be Australia’s saviour, as more inclement weather swept across the Midlands on the last day. But by 2.30, conditions had improved to allow England to complete their victory charge. Except things did not go entirely to plan in the 16 overs that were bowled before tea.
Greg Ritchie and wicketkeeper Wayne Phillips repelled all that England could bowl at them, taking the Australian total to 80/5 at the break, and extending their partnership into the final session, as England searched for the breakthrough that would seemingly open up an end. And then at 4.40pm on Tuesday August 20 came the key point in the 1985 Ashes contest.
Phillips, who had batted solidly for his 59, rocked on to the back foot to cut a slightly short delivery from left-arm spinner Phil Edmonds. On the face of it, the ball that shaped the match and the series was not anything to write home about. Indeed, the BBC cameraman understandably cut away to the right (Phillips’ off side) to watch the ball go towards the boundary. But all was not as it seemed.
Cries of “catch it” immediately indicated that something unusual had taken place, as the camera panned back to the square. “Well, he’s done him,” the incomparable Richie Benaud stated on commentary, Gower appealing to David Shepherd as he stood with the ball in his hand. “But will it be given out?”, Benaud continued. “It’ll need some consultation. Umpires will need to have been eagle-eyed.”
Shepherd, standing in only his second Test match, walked towards David Constant at square leg, all eyes focussed on a discussion that would have a huge bearing on the rest of the summer. In a matter of seconds, the decision had been reached. Shepherd nodded towards Phillips and raised the dreaded finger.
“Umpire Shepherd has given it out,” Benaud explained. “And Phillips is distraught, and Ritchie at the other end is equally as distraught.” Leaving the field, Phillips held his hand over his face, trying his best to hold back the tears of frustration he felt regarding the decision. Ritchie, hands behind his back at the non-striker’s end, did little to hide his dismay.
It took a few replays to clarify the situation, although even then it was not clear if Phillips should have been given out. Phillips’ cut shot appeared to have struck Allan Lamb’s instep at silly point, with the ball looping up to Gower at silly mid-off. The numerous cameras used at grounds in the modern era might have indicated if the ball had struck the ground before hitting Lamb. But this was 1985, and we didn’t even have cameras at both ends of the ground.
There could be no doubting the importance of this moment. After Phillips’ freak dismissal, Australia folded meekly, their dam cracking to allow the water to submerge them. Dismissed for 142, their innings and 118 run defeat was the penultimate nail in their coffin. Another innings defeat followed at the Oval, as Australia crumbled.
Naturally, attention turned to the key incident of the afternoon. “There was no way in the world that the umpires could tell that the batsman was out,” Border complained. “He should have been given the benefit of the doubt.” It’s hard to argue with the Australian skipper’s point of view. It was such a pivotal moment; in fact, it was the tipping point of the whole series.
On Sky Sports’ recent Ashes in the 1980s series, Phillips remained adamant that he had been hard done by. “I was right there. I hit it and I am sure it hit the ground. They couldn’t have given it out. They can’t give it out.” With a wry grin on his face, Phillips also described the enormity of the decision. “It doesn’t worry me any more at all. It cost my country the Test match, it cost us the Ashes. But I’m over it. It’s fine.”
On the same programme, Gower gave the other side of the story. “I know that Border was upset. I know that Flipper [Phillips] himself as the batsman was upset. I will look them in the eye any day you like and tell them that was out.”
There could be no doubting that England were the better team in the 1985 Ashes series. But would things have panned out differently if Phillips and Ritchie had managed to bat Australia to safety at Edgbaston? Would the disappointment of not being able to force the win have proved detrimental to England?
One thing is certain; the Phillips dismissal was one that was debated furiously at the time, and it will continue to divide opinion as the years roll on. As the BBC commentator Tom Graveney confusingly said at the time: “I don’t honestly think that there’s any question that wasn’t out.” That sums it all up neatly.
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