 Australia had won the second test by 6 wickets, and led the 1989 Ashes series 2–0.Gloomy weather threatened the third test before it even began, and rain and bad light eventually cost over ten hours of lost play during the match.The return of Ian Botham lifted the hosts spirits who went into the match trailing 2–0 in the six test series, however in his first match back after over a year off following serious spinal surgery, the English champion was well below his best.