 By 1997, calls for Atherton to step down were only put off by an exciting victory at The Oval against Australia, despite losing the series 3–2.On the following tour to the West Indies, a 3–1 defeat forced the beleaguered captain to step down, to be replaced by wicketkeeper-batsman Alec Stewart.Stewart's first test series against South Africa in the summer of 1998 resulted in the side's first success in a five match test series since their last victory against Australia in 1986/1987.