Greatest Ashes Tests: No.9, The MCG, 1998

With just 15 Tests to his name, fast bowler Dean Headley will never be regarded as a legend of English cricket.

But in the dark days of the 1990s, Headley was a beacon of light for an England side that barely won an Ashes Test, let alone a series.

The grandson of the man known as the Black Bradman, legendary West Indian batsman George Headley, Dean made his Test debut against Australia at Old Trafford in 1997, taking eight wickets for the match.

Greatest Ashes Tests: No.10, Lord's, 2005

It was a promising start, but Headley's greatest Ashes moment and the highlight of his short Test career came when he bowled England to an unlikely victory in the 1998 Boxing Day Test.

The series was already over when the two teams arrived in Melbourne, the Aussies having retained the urn thanks to comfortable wins in Perth and Adelaide.

And when the home side were cruising at 3-130 in pursuit of 175 for victory late on day four, a 3-0 series lead seemed inevitable.

Enter Headley.

Having gone wicketless in Australia’s first innings of 340, Headley had struck early in Australia's chase by trapping Michael Slater in front.

Then, after Justin Langer and the Waugh twins had seemingly steered Australia to safety, Headley returned with a devastating spell that won the match for England.

In the space of 13 balls, Headley removed Mark Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Ian Healy and Damien Fleming for just four runs.

Then, with the shadows lengthening and the clock showing 7.22pm, Steve Waugh opted to take the extra 30 minutes available following a rain-interrupted opening day.

It was a decision Waugh no doubt wrestled with; England had all the momentum, but were heavily fatigued with the final session approaching four hours under the revised playing conditions.

Waugh had scored an unbeaten century in the first innings, and crucially had combined with the tail to add 105 for the final three wickets. With just 14 runs needed for victory and seven wickets down, Waugh backed himself to get Australia home.

But he didn’t count on Headley. In the seventh over of his spell, Headley had debutant Matthew Nicholson caught behind before Darren Gough took the final two wickets in the following over, securing a famous victory by 12 runs.

With victory staring them in the face, Australia had incredibly lost their final six wickets for just 22 runs. Headley was handed the man-of-the-match award for his figures of 6-60.

Headley continued his brilliant form in the final Test in Sydney, taking eight wickets for the match despite England falling to a big defeat.

But rather than herald the beginning of a bright career, that Australian summer was to be the highlight of Headley's time as a Test cricketer.

He played just two more Test matches before poor form and critically a persistent back injury signaled an early end to his career in 2001.

He finished his career with 60 wickets from 15 matches, 35 of which came in six Tests against Australia.

4th Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, December 26-29, 1998

England 270 (76 overs)
Alec Stewart 107
Mark Ramprakash 63
Stuart MacGill 4-61

Australia 340 (98.3 overs)
Steve Waugh 122*
Darren Gough 5-96
Alan Mullally 3-64

England 244 (80.2 overs)
Graeme Hick 60
Matthew Nicholson 3-56
Stuart MacGill 3-81

Australia 162 (46.4 overs)
Mark Waugh 43
Dean Headley 6-60

England won by 12 runs