The 1979-80 Ashes series between England and Australia was marred by controversy from the start, with the England cricket board refusing to grant the three-Test series official Ashes status. Australia responded by purchasing a $10 trophy nicknamed 'Ernie'. However, the most memorable incident occurred on the first day when Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee walked to the crease wielding an aluminium bat.
Lillee, batting at number eight, struck his fourth ball from Ian Botham for three runs, producing a distinctive metallic 'clunk'. England captain Mike Brearley immediately complained to the umpires that the bat was damaging the ball, while Lillee argued that no law required bats to be made of wood. Australian captain Greg Chappell, annoyed that the shot hadn't reached the boundary, sent 12th man Rodney Hogg out with a wooden replacement bat. Lillee refused it, forcing Chappell to come down from the dressing room himself. Lillee eventually discarded the metal bat, throwing it 40 feet towards the pavilion.
The umpires sided with Brearley, ruling the bat against the spirit of the game. However, this was one of the few victories for England on the tour. Australia bowled England out for 228 in reply to their 244, with Brearley's obdurate 64 the only notable contribution. England lost the match by 138 runs and the series 3-0. Brearley later had his revenge in the famous 1981 Ashes series.
The aluminium bat, known as the ComBat, was invented by a friend of Lillee's. After being declared illegal, Lillee was left with a garage full of unsold stock. The incident remains one of cricket's most famous controversies, highlighting the tension between innovation and tradition in the sport.
