Prudential Trophy Series - Australia tour of England 3-match series of the 3rd ODI match played between Australia and England at Birmingham - Edgbaston in 28th August 1972 - England won by 2 wickets.
England won the first ever ODI Prudential Trophy series of one-day international matches led the series 2-1 when they beat Australia team by two wickets at Edgbaston in 1972, After seeming to have the game in hand at tea time, they might yet have lost it in a close and nervous finish.
Barry Wood gave England and initial impetus in the field and provided a steadying influence when their Innings was in a precarious formerly of Warwickshire and England, nominated him as man of the match.
Geoff Arnold bowled capably for England, Geoff Boycott and Dennis Amiss gave them and their innings on excellent foundation for England.
And Keith Fletcher, Barry Wood, Alan Knott, and finally Tony Greig shored it up when it threatened to collapse.
Keith Stackpole and their tall relieved the otherwise disappointing Australian batting, and when the match reemed England's Dennis Lillee disputed it sternly but in spite of mighty support from his fieldsmen, He could not quite complete the damage before his over allocation came to an end.
In same day morning alterations and adjustments Arthur Fagg, who injured his back on the ground, was replaced as umpire by Alan Oakman, The Warwickshire coach, who had a season on the umpire's list in 1959,
England made their first change of the series, bringing in Wood for Hampshire, while Australia by comparison with their team at Lord's had Walters and Hammond instead of Watson and College.
Brian Close won the toss and asked Australia to bat in the hope that the dew of an early 10:45 am start might help his team bowlers They found some slight seam movement, but generally the pitch was of the true but slow type on which it is easier to stay in than to make strokes.
In altogether more disciplined out cricket than at Lord's the English opening bowling was tight and the fielding positively rejuvenated.
Wood and Fletcher at mid-wicket and extra cover the two key fielding position of limited over cricket - were as the fast, and predatory as alleycats and Knott was it his nimble best.
Stackpole as cheerfully consistent as he is consistently cheerful was again both the backbone and the body of the Australian innings, Perhaps beginning to fire from his labours on this tour, he was not quite at his best, He occasionally edged one fast his leg stump, but a square cut off Arnold remains in the memory, and he batted most responsibly.
Until the late skirmish the other batsmen simply came and went, By normal cricketing standards the day would not have begun when a moment before 11 am, Arnold brought a ball back inside Edwards's stroke and hit his off stump.
Now Wood stepped crucially into the game, Before the season's familler partnership of Stackpole and Ian Chappell could take root be run out Chappell with a direct throw from cover.
All at once the apparently certain English win was by no means certain, Greg Chappell, Walters and Hammond bowled tightly, The ground fielding was tigerish.
Fletcher and Wood batted with more anriety than profit, the crowd tension was apparent in quick alarms and shouts and it endured to the last ball.
The batsmen settled and took some quick runs off Walters and Hammond until Fletcher drove at him and edged Marsh's third catch.
England required 37 runs from 12 overs and the crusial question became when Ian Chappell would call up Dennis Lillie for his remaining three overs.
Dennis Lillee came back for the 45th over and at once had Wood lbw shuffling across and beaten by pace, So Tony Greig and Knott were in effect left to keep out Lillie and win the match.
They had almost done it before at 172 for seven, Knott swinging rather wildly at Walters, skied a catch to mid on with eight runs still wanted.
Even then Woolner snicked Walters to the wicket-keeper before Greig, with two fours off Massie - one powerful on drive the other a snick through the empty slip territory-settled the matter.
The panel made the man of the series award to Keith Stackpole of the Australians and to Amiss for England.
* This modified Article reference from ( T.G ) Author by John Arlott
Australia vs England 1st ODI at at Old Trafford, Manchester in 24th August 1972
England won by 6 wickets (with 35 balls remaining).Australia scored 222/8 in 55-overs with top scorer by Ross Edwards (57), Ian Chappell (53), Greg Chappell (40) and Keith Stackpole (37).
England best bowler Bob Woolmer 3-33 and Geoff Arnold 2-38
England chased 226/4 in 49.1-overs with top scorer by debutant Dennis Amiss (103), who was the first ever player scored a century in debut ODI match in limited-overs cricket history.
Keith Fletcher (60), Geoff Boycott (25) and John Hampshire (25).
Australia best bowler Graeme Watson 2-28.
Australia vs England 2nd ODI at Lord's in 26th August 1972
Australia won by 5 wickets (with 21 balls remaining).England scored 236/9 in 55-overs with top scorer by Alan Knott (50), Brian Close (43), Tony Greig (31) and Dennis Amiss (25).
Australia best bowler by Ashley Mallett 2-24, Bob Massie 2-35 and Dennis Lillee 2-56.
Australia chased 240/5 in 51.3-overs with top scorer by Keith Stackpole (52), Paul Sheahan (50), Greg Chappell (48) and Ian Chappell (31).
England best bowler by John Snow 3-35, Basil D'Oliveira 1-46 and Bob Woolmer 1-47.
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