Thommo remembers '82-83 agony

Australia's two-run Ashes defeat brought back awful memories for Jeff Thomson, the No. 11 dismissed in another heart-breaking loss to England at the MCG in 1982-83. Michael Kasprowicz expects to see the ball that ended Australia's spectacular victory push forever, and the moment Thomson edged to Geoff Miller via Chris Tavare with his side four short of victory left him speechless.

"It took me years to be able to talk about it I was so upset," Thomson told The Australian. "I took that very badly. If anyone mentioned it to me I'd become ropeable." Thomson said he couldn't believe they lost then, and he expected Kasprowicz to be "absolutely shattered" now.

While Kasprowicz and Brett Lee were aware of the target dropping rapidly during their 59-run stand, Thomson, who was batting with Allan Border, didn't bother about the scoreboard. "It was only when I looked up and realised we had got so close that I thought I'd push a single and let AB hit the winning runs," he said. "Ian Botham bowled a half-tracker which swung away a little bit and I tried to just sort of glide it. I should have played a baseball shot and hit it for four to win the game."