Flashback: Only instance of an Ashes series victory from 2-0 down

The Ashes is a historic Test series played between two of the oldest rivals England and Australia. The first-ever match in the Ashes took place way back in 1882 and since then both sides have played some high-voltage competitive series over the years. It’s extremely difficult for any side to make a comeback after being 1-0 or 2-0 down in the series and in the history of the Ashes, there has been only one such instance when the Australians managed to bounce back in some style to clinch the series.

In the 1936/37 Ashes series held in Australia, the home side lost the opening two encounters but still managed to spring a solid surprise to seal the famous ‘Urn’, winning the series 3-2. The Aussies turned it around under the stewardship of the legendary cricketer Don Bradman.

The visitors, led by Gubby Allen, won the opening fixture by a massive margin of 322 runs at the Gabba in Brisbane. For England, left-arm fast-medium bowler Bill Voce shone throughout the Test match as he picked up six and four wickets in the first and second innings respectively. The tourists extended their lead by winning the second encounter by an innings and 22 runs in Sydney. Wally Hammond was the star performer for the English side as he struck a magnificent 231 in the first innings.

After being 2-0 down on home soil, the Aussies woke up to stage a historic comeback. Skipper Bradman took matters into his own hands as he hammered a brilliant 270 in the second innings as the Kangaroos won the third Test by a mammoth 365 runs in Melbourne.

There was no stopping Bradman as he struck another double century (212) in the second innings of the fourth Test held at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. Courtesy of his yet another heroic knock, the Aussies sealed the contest by a 148-run margin to level the series 2-2. It all then came down to the final game at the iconic ‘G’.

Bradman struck another ton (169) while Stan McCabe and Jack Badcock hit 112 and 118 runs respectively in the first innings as the hosts posted a huge total of 604 on the board. In the end, England faltered and the Australians won by an innings and 200 runs to seal a memorable series 3-2.