We played hard . . . and partied hard

Written off before a ball was bowled — one of the British press pack quipped that there were only three things wrong with england: ‘Can’t bat, can’t bowl and can’t field’ — Mike Gatting’s 1986-87 vintage were celebrating with a champagnesoaked elton John in the MCG dressing room before the new year after going 2-0 up with one to play. Gladstone sMall was man of the match in the fourth test at Melbourne and shared his memories: ‘It’s fair to say that the preparations were not as professional as they are these days but the night before the Test match at Brisbane, Ian Botham said, “Right guys, the party’s over, the cricket starts tomorrow so let’s get our game heads on and sort these Aussies out”. It was the rallying call that put things together. ‘There is no doubt it was a seasoned, experienced bunch of cricketers we had on that tour and it wasn’t panic stations for us at any point. I always said that we played our best cricket when we were enjoying ourselves and yes, we took it a bit too far sometimes but when you look back and reflect it was the most enjoyable tour I ever went on with England, and proved to be a very successful one. Given the perfect start by Botham’s first-innings hundred at the Gabba, england took a 1-0 lead and, despite losing to a couple of state teams along the way, managed to maintain the momentum all the way to the Boxing day test, where small (above) bagged a first-innings five for 48 in australia’s 141 all out. ‘I didn’t have any time to be nervous because I was only told half an hour before the start that I was playing. Graham Dilley had failed a fitness test that morning and it was only when Gatt came back into the dressing room to grab his jacket for the toss that he said, “Stoney, you’re playing”. ‘If you are given a scenario to put a performance in for your team that wins a series, it’s something you want on your c.v. The conditions were great for bowling, we won the toss and sent the Aussies in on a cloudy, grey, overcast morning. Thankfully, I made the most of them.’ on an anecdote-laced tour, on which his main job had been to run out energy drinks for the team — and lager shandies for Botham — small’s selection blew off the cobwebs of a Christmas day hangover. in addition to his seven wickets in the match, he took the catch at deep square leg that confirmed the urn remained in the possession of england. ‘Over the history of the Ashes, the Aussies have had the upper hand on us over there and so it was a good feeling to be part of that bunch of guys and to come away as winners. It’s something I will always cherish — and something we celebrated hard, that’s for sure!’