English cricket team in Australia in 2002–03

The England cricket team toured Australia in 2002/03, playing a series of five Ashes Test matches, several One Day International, and a number of games against Australian domestic teams.

Matches Summaries

England XI v ACB Chairman's XI, 22 October 2002

England XI v Western Australia, 24–25 October 2002

England XI v Western Australia, 28–30 October 2002

England XI v Queensland, 2–5 November 2002

1st Test, 7–10 November 2002

Australia won by 384 runs

The first Test of the series began with what many regard in hindsight as one of the worst captaincy decisions of all time, as England captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and chose to send Australia in to bat. Australia's batsmen took advantage of several dropped catches and other mistakes in the field to amass a staggering 364 for 2, with Ricky Ponting contributing 123 before being bowled by Ashley Giles, and Matthew Hayden finishing the day on 186 not out. England's woeful day in the field was capped by a severe injury to young bowler Simon Jones, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while sliding to field a ball and was forced to withdraw from the tour.

England fought back strongly on the second day of the Test. Hayden advanced to 197 before gloving a catch to Wicket-keeper Alec Stewart, and the Aussies' last eight wickets fell for just 128 runs despite a fighting 57 from Shane Warne. Giles added three more wickets to his total and Andy Caddick took three in the day, including the key...
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