Ray Illingworth - England's Unbeaten Run

England's Unbeaten Run

When Illingworth became captain England had lost only one of their previous 14 Test matches, and none of their last 7. He continued this run to a record breaking 27 Test Matches without defeat in 1968-71, or one defeat in 40 Tests in 1966-71. This record was not recognised at the time as the games against the Rest of the World XI were counted as Test matches and was subsequently equalled by Clive Lloyd's West Indies in 1981-84.

• 1-1 (5 Tests) vs Australia in 1968, Australia winning the First Test at Old Trafford by 159 runs.
• 0-0 (3 Tests) in Pakistan 1968-69.
• 2-0 (3 Tests) vs the West Indies 1969.
• 2-0 (3 Tests) vs New Zealand 1969.
• 2-0 (7 Tests) in Australia 1970-71.
• 1-0 (2 Tests) in New Zealand 1970-71.
• 1-0 (3 Tests) vs Pakistan 1971.
• 0-1 (3 Tests) vs India 1971, India winning the Third Test at the Oval by 4 wickets.