sentences:  The England cricket team had enjoyed a long spell of success in the early 1970s with consecutive victories in The Ashes and a strong record against other international opponents.However, defeats in 1975 to Australia in the Cricket World Cup and in The Ashes had exposed the team as possibly ageing and lacking top-class fast bowlers.After the traditional opening fixture against Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk's XI, and warm-up matches against county sides, the 1st Test was played at Trent Bridge at the beginning of June.