Ashes series as there has been (with the possible exception of 2005). The seasoned pros of England in Boycott, Edrich, D'Oliveira, Illingworth himself, Underwood and Snow faced the upcoming young Australians (Ian and Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh, Doug Walters) who would dominate for the middle part of the decade. The series was drawn 2–2 but included tight games at Headingley and particularly the Oval, where the match lasted almost six days with Australia chasing 242 with only 5 wickets in hand. In 1973 Illingworth's tenure as captain of England ended, and it was rather a sad one in that an easy victory over a budding New Zealand team was followed by a heavy defeat by a highly efficient West Indies side. England had to win at Lord's to level the three-Test series. West Indies had first use of a quick but perfectly even batting wicket and made 650 at a rapid scoring rate as England's bowling attack of Willis, Arnold, Greig, Underwood and Illingworth were humiliated by Kanhai, Sobers and Bernard Julien. When England batted they had no answer to Lance Gibbs and lost by an innings. Wisden fairly described it as "a sad end to the Illingworth era". England's unbeaten run When Illingworth became captain England had lost only one of their previous 14 Test matches, and none of their last 7. He continued this run to a record-breaking 27 Test Matches without defeat in 1968–71, or one defeat in 40 Tests in 1966–71. This record was not recognised at the time as the games against the Rest of the World XI were counted as Test matches and was subsequently equalled by Clive Lloyd's West Indies in 1981–84. 1–1 (5 Tests) vs Australia in 1968, Australia winning the First Test at Old Trafford by 159 runs. 0–0 (3 Tests) in Pakistan 1968–69. 2–0 (3 Tests) vs the West Indies 1969. 2–0 (3 Tests) vs New Zealand 1969. 2–0 (7 Tests) in Australia 1970–71. 1–0 (2 Tests) in New Zealand 1970–71. 1–0 (3 Tests) vs Pakistan 1971. 0–1 (3 Tests) vs India 1971, India winning the Third Test at the Oval by 4 wickets. Rest of the World XI There was no tour in 1969–70 and no tourists in 1970 as the series with South Africa was cancelled due to the Basil d'Oliveira Affair and concerns over anti-apartheid demonstrations that had led to barbed wire at Lord's. Rather