Test matches in England in 2005 left stranded on an unbeaten 64 to have a Test batting average of 121 after the first match. The psychological battles before the match saw Australia planting many stories in the press about England already being in trouble. England kept quieter, until just before the game stories appeared about how the Edgbaston game would be decided at the toss: whichever side won it would choose to bowl first and would win. England's mind games paid dividends when Ricky Ponting did just that, as Michael Vaughan admitted that if he had won the toss, he'd have batted, and as the match
Australian cricket team in England in 1902 match could be seen as marking the low point of their fortunes. The remainder of the tour would prove far more successful. Australians (154 & 185) beat England XI (138 & 70) by 131 runs The England XI which took the field at The Saffrons in Eastbourne was captained by Gilbert Jessop and included two more players with Test experience, Bobby Abel and Bill Storer. Neither had featured in the first two Tests of the series, however. Darling won the toss and chose to bat, though play was delayed until after lunch on the first day, and the Australians made