Six Test sides who dominated their era

Australia 1948-51

Ray Lindwall’s ‘Invicibles’ not only completed an undefeated tour of England in 1948, inspired by Sir Donald Bradman, but conquered South Africa 4-0 and England 4-1. Arthur Morris, Lindsay Hassett and Keith Miller also starred.

Australia 1959-64

Not a dynasty to rival the Invincibles, but few sides were more dogged than Richie Benaud’s team. Benaud was also one of the game’s first great captains, a master tactician whose dignified and courteous behaviour belied his steely determination.

                                               England 1951-59

Under the astute leadership of Sir Len Hutton – his country’s first professional captain – England went eight years without losing a Test series. Hutton, Jim Laker, Alec Bedser, Brian Statham and Frank Tyson made up a team which mixed graft with guile.

Australia 1972-77

After almost a decade of relative parity in the Test arena, Australia moved ahead thanks to a fearsome pace attack, spearheaded by Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, the flair of the Chappell brothers and the grit of wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh.

West Indies 1977-95

A succession of magnificent sides went 29 series unbeaten thanks to ferocious pace bowling – typified by Michael Holding – powerhouse batting and astute captaincy. Their dominance in all formats made them feared and admired in equal measure.

Australia 1996-2007

A heady mix of extravagant talent, impregnable self-belief and ruthless execution. An explosive batting line-up redefined Test standards, while the mere presence of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne was enough to reduce most batting line-ups to jelly.