One of the most durable batsmen Australia has ever produced, Border's determination not to give away his wicket cheaply unfairly eclipsed his punchy strokeplay.

Nicknamed AB, Border's tally of 153 consecutive Test appearances remains a world record, while across his 156 Tests he amassed 11,174 runs at a fraction over 50.

Border was initially something of a reluctant Australian captain, taking over from Kim Hughes in 1984/85 and despite leading the way with 597 runs at an average of 66.33 - including 196 in the Lord's Test - he could not prevent David Gower's side clinching the 1985 six-Test series 3-1.

The memory stuck with him and he resolved to turn Australia's fortunes around. The 1986/87 Ashes series against Mike Gatting's largely-written off side came too soon but World Cup glory was just around the corner, with victory over England in the final making the success all the sweeter.

Border arrived in England for the 1989 Ashes a changed man. As opposing captain David Gower later remarked, in contrast to the 1985 series such was Border's single-minded, uncompromising approach that the two barely exchanged words.

Australia stormed to a 4-0 victory and their skipper became the first captain since Bill Woodfull in 1934 to regain the Ashes in England.

Border's legacy was to establish a grip on the urn that Australia would not loose until 2005.

England were swept aside 3-0 in their 1991 tour as David Boon powered his way to 530 runs and it was a similar story in 1993 as Australia completed a 4-1 victory in England, losing only the sixth test en route to a 4-1 victory. Defeat in the final Test at the Oval was Border's first against England in 18 games.

After his final Test in 1994 Border coached Australia A and enjoyed spells as a selector; he remains a role-model and fittingly the incredible contribution he made to his country is recognised each year when Australia's 'Player of the Year' receives the Allan Border Medal.

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