We continue our 30-day countdown to the first Ashes Test with Allan Border, who oversaw Australia's rebuilding phase in the 1980s to win three consecutive Ashes series.

Inspirational Ashes Countdown No.29: former Australia captain Allan Border

Allan Robert Border loved playing England. More so, he loved beating the Poms. And though things didn't always go to plan, he certainly afforded himself ample opportunity to beat England.

Border, - AB, Captain Grumpy - led Australia in a staggering 29 Tests against England - an Ashes record, and seven matches clear of England's turn-of-the-20th-century captain Archie MacLaren.

In fact, Border did not lose a Test to England after Boxing Day 1986 until August 1993, his final Ashes match in charge of the Aussies.

With AB at the helm, the Aussies won three consecutive series in 1989 (4-0), 1990-1991 (3-0) and 1993 (4-1). His overall captaincy record against England stood at 13 wins, six losses and 10 draws.

With a career average of 50.56 over his astonishing 156 Tests, Border lifted even further when playing in England, averaging 65.06.

His highest score against England came in Leeds in July 1993 when he scored 200 not out in a Test that also witnessed tons from a young Steve Waugh and a tenacious David Boon.

When Border retired from Test cricket in 1994, the nuggety battler held the record for the most Tests, most consecutive Tests, most runs and most catches.

It's thanks in no small part to Allan Border that the Australia team of the 1990s is regarded by many as the greatest Test side in history.

Allan Border

Tests: 156

Batting average: 50.56

Ashes Tests: 47

Ashes batting average: 56.31

Tests as captain: 93

Test record as captain: 32 wins, 22 losses, 39 draws 

Ashes Tests as captain: 29

Ashes record as captain: 13 wins, six losses, 10 draws