Prudential Trophy - Australia tour of England 3-match one-day international series of the final and 3rd ODI match played between Australia vs England at The Oval in 06th June 1977 - Australia won by 2 wickets.
Greg Chappell, unquestionably the finest batsman in either team, won the third of the Prudential Trophy one-day international match for Australia by 2-wickets, and England clinch the 3-match series 2-1.
Seventy minutes were lost to rain but both sides and umpires set out to reach a decision and leave their Jubilee day free, They succeeded in spite of appalling conditions at 8:20 that time.
Dennis Amiss and Greg Chappell were chosen as the "Player of the Series" on either side and Greg Chappell as Player of the Match, Although the prize money was €2000 a match, the Australians have consciously used this series to compensate for loss of match practice to rain in the first phase of the tour.
Thus every member of the party has played in one game - most in two, and only Greg Chappell in all three, moreover Greg Chappell, who took five wickets for 20 runs at Edgbaston on 04th June 1977, did not come on until the last over of the England innings, preferring to win this game, if necessary by himself by methods as near to the orthodox as possible and Greg Chappell succeeded splendidly.
A typically bland Oval pitch offered bowlers no turn, seam movement or bounce and the batsman who kept his head could make a long score.
Greg Chappell won the toss for the third time in the series and put England in to batting for the second time in the series.
England opener Mike Brearley and Dennis Amiss set the 161-run stand for opening wicket, which was highest partnership ever recorded in a Prudential Trophy match that time.
After Wary start again Australian bowler Jeff Thompson and Geoff Dymock with the new ball, they moved almost run for run and reached their fifties in the same fifty minute.
At times Greg Chappell posted three slips and a gully, never employed a mass defensive field, indeed, only rarely set more than two on the boundary.
When Greg Chappell employed Kerry O'Keeffe and Ray Bright a spinner at each end the batsmen moved near to command.
England opener Mike Brearley playing freely, went down the pitch to Kerry O'Keeffe was beaten in the air and stumped by Richie Robinson.
Mike Brearley played magnificently and missed several times in the early stages and might have been caught from a difficult chance to slip, For the rest he batted with good judgement and as a measure of his enterprise scored 78 off facing 113 deliveries including eleven 4s by comparison with Dennis Amiss's scored delightful 108-runs off faced 146-balls.
Dennis Amiss held the innings together at times Amiss twisted himself into dangerously awkward position against Jeff Thompson but this score made without a chance would establish his confidence for the coming Test series that time.
Once Mike Brearley was out the remaining batsmen, apart from Dennis Amiss and Chris Old destroyed themselves in over-hearty attempts to score even faster runs. Thus all 10 England wickets fell in less than 17 overs for 81-runs.
Mike Brearley (78), Dennis Amiss (108) and Chris Old 20-runs helped to England managed the 242 for all-out in 54.2 overs.
Australia's Richie Robinson, with four dismissals, equalled the wicket-keeping record for the match, and made a game attempt to hold the catch that would have beaten it.
Len Pascoe competing for a Test place, bowled quite fast, he took three useful wickets and might have had three more.
Jeff Thompson following a different method is attempting to build to full speed after a long period without practice.
Australia needed 243 to win an asking rate if 4 and half runs an over, Rick McCosker watchfully and Richie Robinson at first uncertainty founded the innings with a opening wicket partnership of 33.
Then England captain Mike Brearley's rapid bowling change replaced John Lever with Chris Old, who had Rick McCosker leg before wicket.
Greg Chappell in the striking rate he played some strokes of less than his usual poise but essentially he was himself, the purposeful but princely stroke maker, tall, slim, swaying easily into classical strokes especially a range of on drives which ran smooth as a puck over ice.
Greg Chappell smashed unbeaten 125-runs off facing 137 deliveries included eleven 4s in the 181 minutes with strike rate of 91.24.
Richie Robinson's batting was rough hewn by comparison but he settled to measured aggression in a stand of 148 in 31 overs before he skied Bob Willis to square leg, Thereafter only Greg Chappell held firm.
While Australia fell steadily at the other end, many of them in semi-darkness, sleet and immense tension.
Australia needed 45 runs from the last 10 overs, when 21 required from five overs Rain pelted down and for some time the light was appalling.
Greg Chappell finish the game in style with boundary, Only Greg Chappell rose above the conditions, pacing the innings with impervious calm, it was a memorable performance.
* This above modified Article reference from (T.G) Author by John Arlott
Australia vs England 1st ODI at Manchester - 2nd June 1977
England won by 2 wickets with 58 balls remaining.
Australia scored 169/9 in 55 overs with top scorer by debutant Craig Serjeant (46), who played his first one-day match, Rod Marsh (42) and Greg Chappell (30).
England best bowler by Derek Underwood 3-29, John Lever 2-45 and Tony Greig 2-11.
England chased 173/8 in the 45.2 with top scorer by Graham Barlow (42), debutant Mike Brearley (29), who played his first one-day match, Chris Old (25), Tony Greig (22) and Alan Knott (21).
Australia best bowler Max Walker 3-20, debutant Mick Malone took 3-37 and Kerry O'Keeffe 1-36
Rod Marsh named Player of the match for his 42 off facing 29-deliveries included five 4s and two 6s with strike rate of 144.82.
Australia vs England 2nd ODI at Birmingham - 4th June 1977
England won by 101 runs.
England scored 171-all-out in 53.5 overs with top scorer by Dennis Amiss (35), Chris Old (35), John Lever (27) and Graham Barlow (25).
Australia best bowler Gary Cosier 5-18, who took his first five wickets haul in one-day match, and Greg Chappell 5-20, who took career best figures with first five-wickets haul and first time only two bowlers took all 10 wickets in one-day cricket history.
Australia scored 70 all-out in 25.2 overs, which was first lowest total in one-day cricket history, Australia's top scorer Greg Chappell (19) Ray Bright (17) and Richie Robinson (12).
England best bowler John Lever took 4-29, Bob Willis 2-14, Chris Old and Tony Greig each took one wickets.
John Lever named Player of the match for his attacking bowling performance of 4-29 in his 11 overs spell with 2 maidens and economy 2.63.
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