Benson and Hedges Cup - England tour of Australia 5-match one-day international series of the 5th ODI match played between England vs Australia at Melbourne in 07th February 1979 - Australia won by 6-wickets with 147-balls spare.
Australia's establishment cricket team scored it's most significant 6-wickets victory over England in the Benson and Hedges Cup match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was first ever 5-match one-day international series.
This win not only gave Australia its first substantial advantage over England that time, but also boosted it's prospects for engagement in the near future.
The morale from Australia winning the Benson and Hedges Cup 5-match series with 2-1 will be of enormous value against England in the Test that time.
And Australia captain Graham Gallop was quick to point out that it would serve the team well in its two Test series against Pakistan next month that year.
As well Australia now can go into the second World Cup in June that year 1979 with more confidence.
For once, victory was achieved with consummate ease after Graham Yallop won the toss and invitated England into bat first.
It was the seventh time in eight clashes in the 1979 season that England captain Mike Brearley has called incorrectly against the Australian captain Graham Yallop.
On an Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch that provided inordinately high bounce the England batsman failed and were dismissed for 94 all-out in 37.7 overs, which was the 8-balls-over match.
Only Mike Brearley provided much opposition with an innings of 46 off facing 114 deliveries including three 4s and a 5s, which was the first five-runs as an overthrow.
The five runs came in extraordinary circumstances, it would have been six had wicketkeeper David Bairstow made his ground against a Kim Hughes throw to bowler Gary Cosier.
Mike Brearley had pulled Gary Cosier wide through mid-wicket and run five as an overthrow from Geoff Dymock went to Kim Hughes backing up in the gully, As he and Bairstow ran another, Hughes throw to Cosier beat the air-borne batsman by a fraction.
It appeared a mistake in calling by Mike Brearley but did not match up to the other mistakes made by England batsmen.
Geoff Boycott made only 2-runs before he failed to contain a rising Geoff Dymock delivery and was caught in the gully by Gary Cosier.
Derek Randall (0) was out to the next delivery as he played defensively at a Groff Dymock out-swinger and he was caught out by Kim Hughes took a juggling catch at first slip.
The Queensland left-hander Geoff Dymock had then taken 2-3, figures and breakthrough good enough to win him the $400 Player of the match award.
From then, the England batting never regained its equilibrium, Graham Gooch (4) was caught out by Kim Hughes at first slip off Alan Hurst and last match Sunday's century-maker David Gower (3) fell to a catch by Graeme Wood at gully off Alan Hurst.
Hard-hitter Ian Botham hit three fours before he attempted a fourth from Gary Cosier and edged the ball into his stumps, David Bairstow (3) was run out and Mike Brearley (46), Phil Edmonds (15), John Lever (1) and Bob Willis (2) fell without much bother after lunch.
Gary Cosier, 3-22 from seven overs spell held the bowling honors, although the inroads made by Geoff Dymock 2-21 and Alan Hurst 2-7 in the early batting were more important.
Australian opener Rick Darling and Graeme Wood then smashed whatever slim hope England had, Australia opener hit 29-runs off only 4.6 overs, despatching with ease some lack-lustre bowling by Bob Willis and Mike Hendrick.
The England bowlers lacked through and directions in their attack although their task was severe.
Rick Darling (14) was caught out by Mike Brearley off Bob Willis's slower ball and Kim Hughes (0) went the same way with the total only 37.
Graeme Wood reached a competent 30 off faced 38 deliveries, before he was caught out by David Bairstow driving catch off Ian Botham and Australia captain Graham Yallop scored 25 off 69-balls, before lost his off-stump as he tried to force John Lever.
It was left to Peter Toohey 16 not out and Gary Cosier 8-runs not out to reach the target of 95 in 25.5 overs.
The Australian won $2400 and the right to call the $11,500 Benson and Hedges Gold Cup their own for a few months.
The Englishmen for the first time on tour achieved little, They looked tired and disinterested although Mike Brearley said he was disappointed in the result "Mike Brearley wanted to win everything possible".
* This above modified Articles reference from (T.A) Author by Peter McFarline
England vs Australia 1st ODI at Melbourne - 26th December 1978
* This is the first match abandoned without a ball bowled.
England vs Australia 2nd ODI at Sydney - 13th January 1979
Australia scored 17 for 1 wicket in 7.2 overs - match has been stopped due to rain and no result the match before Rick Darling (7) and Kim Hughes (0) in the crease.
In this match Australia's three player debutant of Allan Border, Phil Carlson, John Maclean and Roger Tolchard for England.
England vs Australia 3rd ODI at Melbourne - 24th January 1979
England won by 7 wickets (with 94 balls remaining), which was England's first one-day international match win in Australia.
Australia scored 101 for all-out in 33.5 overs with top scorer by their opener Graeme Wood (28), Alan Border, Phil Carlson and John Maclean each scored 11-runs.
England best bowler by Mike Hendrick 4-25, Ian Botham 3-16, Bob Willis and Phil Edmonds each took 1-wickets.
England chased 102/3 in 28.2 over with top scorer by Geoff Boycott (39) not out, Graham Gooch (23) and David Gower (19) not out.
Australia best bowler by Geoff Dymock, debutant Rodney Hogg and Phil Carlson each took 1-wickets.
Mike Hendrick named Player of the match for his fabulous 4-25 in from eight overs spell.
England vs Australia 4th ODI at Melbourne - 4th February 1979
Australia won by 4 wickets (with 10 balls remaining).
England scored 212/6 in allotted 40 overs with top scorer by David Gower (101), Geoff Boycott (33) and Ian Botham (31).
Australia best bowler by Geoff Dymock 2-31, Alan Hurst, Phil Carlson and Trevor Laughlin each took 1-wickets.
Australia chased 215/6 in 38.6 overs with top scorer by Peter Toohey (54), Kim Hughes (50), Graham Yallop (31) and Gary Cosier (28).
England best bowler by John Lever 3-51, Bob Willis, Mike Hendrick and Chris Old each took 1-wickets.
David Gower earned the player of the match for his delightful 101 off facing 100 deliveries including nine 4s
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