1964 was the year when gifford really broke through as he was selected for the second ashes test at lord's in june. although the game was ruined by rain, with no play at all possible on the first two days, gifford had time to impress, returning miserly analyses of 12–6–14–2 in the first innings and 17–9–17–1 in the second. he was retained for the third test at headingley, but took only two wickets as australia recorded a comfortable win. it would be seven years before he played test cricket again.