Simple ashes trivia

It doesn't happen very often.

In how many (and which) previous home ashes series were England 1-0 up with 3 to play.

not 81, 85 or 2005

Oops, sorry thought we were talking home and away, nevermind...

1977....

1905...

Those are the only two I could find!

Those are the only two. I suppose the fact that Lord's has almost always been the second test means that England has rarely been in the driving seat so early.

I know it's not the same but England were 1-0 up after two tests in 1997. The difference being that there were six tests in that series not five.

Australia won the next 3 in that series.... *gulp*

Here is the tale of woe. England v Australia at Lord's.

The number after the year in the following list is the test match number within the series - it has never been anything other than the first or second test.

1884 2 – Eng by inns and 5 runs
1886 2 – Eng by inns and 106 runs
1888 1 – Aus by 61 runs
1890 1 – Eng by 7 wkts
1893 1 - drawn
1896 1 – Eng by 6 wkts
1899 2 – Aus by 10 wkts
1902 2 - drawn
1905 2 - drawn
1909 2 – Aus by 9 wkts
1912 1 - drawn
1921 2 – Aus by 8 wkts
1926 2 – drawn
1930 2 – Aus by 7 wkts
1934 2 – Eng by inns and 38 runs (whoopee)
1938 2 - drawn
1948 2 – Aus by 409
1953 2 - drawn
1956 2 – Aus 185 runs
1961 2 – Aus by 5 wkts

The next 23 years aren't too bad (one defeat and rain saved Aus in 68).
1964 2 - drawn
1968 2 - drawn
1972 2 – Aus by 8 wkts
1975 2 - drawn
1977 1 - drawn
1980 only test - drawn
1981 2 - drawn

Normal service resumed
1985 2 - Aus by 4 wkts
1989 2 – Aus by 6 wkts
1993 2 – Aus by inns and 62 runs
1997 2 - drawn
2001 2 – Aus by 8 wkts
2005 1 – Aus by 239 runs

2009 2 – Eng by 115 runs

TYA - has any Australian captain lost the Ashes twice (ie lost a series having held them?)

No.

Had the Ashes been at stake from the beginning Billy Murdoch would have lost them in 1880 and in 1884.

Any English captain lost the Ashes twice (again, as in losing them after holding them)?

No. No-ones achieved this from either side. WG Grace in 1896 was the last time an English captain was even in a position where they could lose the ashes for a second time. However he won the series.

Maclaren showed a talent beyond any other captain by managing to lose 4 Ashes series without actually "losing" the ashes even once.

Ponting it would seem, has a rare opportunity.