No century was scored in the first two Tests of this Ashes series. Finally, it was the England captain Michael Vaughan who reached the three-figure mark in the ongoing third Test at Old Trafford. Here’s a list of other late-rising batsmen — another typical Ashes tradition.1981The first century in Bothams Ashes came in the third Test at Headingly through John Dysons 102. But the second ton of the series at — Ian Botham’s 149 — was he most significant. England, trailing 0-1 before the Test, went on to win the series. David Gower (89) missed narrowly in the second match at Lords.1968Colin Cowdrey finally got to three figures at Edgbaston in the third Test of the generally rain-disturbed series. There were six scores of 80 plus in the first two Tests, but the ton finally came in the third. England won the fifth Test to level the series 1-1.1956Rain had not left enough time for a century in the first Tets, and a wicket wicket in the second Test meant no team crossed the 300 mark. Richie Bennaud did score a match-winning 97 in Australia’s second innings. Peter May scored 101 in the third Test and Jim Laker took 11 wickets to help England to an innings victory. England won the seris 2-1.1950-51Don Bradman had just retired; Aussie pitches did not help either. The Gabba pitch for the first Test was so bad Australia declared at 62/7, and England at 32/7, just to make full use of the conditions before the juice dried. Keith Miller finally put his head down in the third Test at Sydney to score 145. Australia won the series 4-1.1921Those were days of uncovered pitches. Centuries came at a premium, and Donald Bradman was still a boy. It was the third Test that provided the first ton. Charles Macartneys 115 set the match up for Australia, as they took an unassaible 3-0 lead.1882-83This time, the centurions had to wait till the fourth Test as AG Steel scored the only century of the series at Sydney Cricket Ground. Steels inning failed to help England win, as Australia chased down 199 to level the series 2-2. Four separate pitches were used for the four innings of this match. — Sidharth Monga
