 Geoff Lawson's match figures of 9 for 153 earned him the man-of-the-match award.Australia had won the fourth test by 9 wickets to lead the best of six match 1989 Ashes series 3–0.With the Ashes loss in four tests to an Australian side touted as supposedly the worst to ever tour England prior to the start of the series, the England side entered the fifth test looking demoralised and dejected.