With the Ashes still up for grabs, six days were set aside for the match, but ultimately England needed just five, although it was nearly abandoned after two.

England's John Snow struck Terry Jenner with a delivery that cut the Australian's head and all hell broke loose.

Snow was warned by the umpire for bowling a bouncer, much to captain Ray Illingworth's disgust, and the bowler was subsequently grabbed on the boundary by a drunk and disgruntled spectator.

With beer cans raining down on the ground, Illingworth led his team from the field only to be warned by the umpires that victory would be handed to the hosts if they did not return.

On the resumption, England recovered from an 80-run first innings deficit and with nine players reaching double figures, set Australia a testing target.

The match was delicately poised with Australia requiring 100 runs with five wickets remaining when Illingworth had Greg Chappell stumped.

Australia's tail collapsed and Illingworth, having led his team off three days earlier, was chaired off in triumph having regained the Ashes.