The
Australian cricket team toured England in 1993 aiming to retain
The Ashes for a second consecutive occasion, having successfully defended them on home turf in the 1990/91 season.
Six
Test match were scheduled, of which Australia won four and
England one, with one match drawn. Australia won the
Texaco Trophy series that preceded the Tests 3-0.
The gulf in quality between the sides was vast, and was emphasised by the fact that nine of Australia's team played all six tests, while England used 24 players in the series, including seven debutants. One of the surprises among the inconsistent selection was the regular selection of
Alec Stewart as wicketkeeper and middle-order batsman, rather than a specialist wicketkeeper that would allow Stewart to open the batting.
Coming off a
complete mauling in the sub-continent, England were low in confidence, and even their star performer in India and Sri Lanka,
Graeme Hick, was still considered to be fighting for his place, judging by comments to the media by coach
Keith Fletcher.
Graham Gooch resigned the captaincy after the Fourth Test, once the series was decided, and
Mike Atherton led the side in the final two tests, winning the Sixth, at
The Oval.
Squads
Test matches
First Test (3–7 June)
Four players debuted in the First Test:
Andy Caddick and
Peter Such for England and
Brendon Julian and
Michael Slater for the...
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