Reliving the 2005 Ashes: One of the greatest Test series ever
Some sporting contests leave an everlasting impression on the minds of sports lovers. They transcend the individual sport and go on to acquire bigger importance. The 2008 Wimbledon match between Federer and Nadal, the “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing fight between Mohammad Ali and Joe Frazier, the World Cup win of Argentina in 1986 delivered almost single-handedly by Maradona, all these are sporting events which never go out of fan’s memory.
For cricket fans, 2005 Ashes series was a similar experience.
Backdrop of the 2005 Ashes
Context always plays a big part in sports. The 2005 Ashes series was played in the backdrop of complete Aussie domination of cricket in the 2000s. The side consisted of many all-time greats, including the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting.
The English side had last won the Ashes in 1987, and had been dominated by the Aussies for almost two decades now. However, the side had continuously improved under the captaincy of Michael Vaughan and had won 14 and drawn 3 of their previous 18 Test matches.
There was a different look about this England side and Aussie captain Ricky Ponting had commented that the Ashes this time was going to be a close affair.
Something had to give.
The First Salvo by the Aussies led by McGrath
McGrath was arguably the most impactful new ball bowler of all time. He could put the ball continuously in a spot, and would be very hard to score off. Before the series, he had predicted that it would be another 5-0 whitewash for the Aussies.
He lived up to his word in the first Test and ran rough through the English batting line-up, taking 9 wickets and leading Australia to a comfortable win.
Even though it was a one-sided affair, there were signs of something extra about this England team. Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff bowled with fire, with Harmison hitting Ponting on the very first day. The batting too had a new aggressive face in Kevin Petersen. It was not going to be a meek surrender this time.
England strike back, aided by their pace quartet and led by Flintoff
Before the second Test, McGrath had a freak accident where he hurt his ankle and was ruled out of the match. English side took full advantage, scoring 407 in only around 80 overs on the first day of the Test match. It was a scintillating display of attacking cricket, something not many people usually associate with English cricket.
Flintoff started with both the ball and the bat in the match, which went down to the wire. His bowling to get rid of Justin Langer and Ponting in Australia’s second innings was stuff of legend. On the last day England needed only 2 Australian wickets, while Australia needed around 100 runs to score.
England were firm favourites, but Australia fought hard, courtesy two 40 plus partnerships to take themselves within three runs of taking a 2-0 lead in the series. With Australian pair of Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz taking them closer to the target, England started targeting them with short-pitched deliveries. Harmison delivered the killer blow finally, removing Kasprowicz with a short ball.
At the end of the match, Flintoff put his arms around a distraught Brett Lee, which was one of the most amazing examples of sportsmanship in cricket history.
Tug of War between the sides in the third Test
England continued with their aggressive play in the third Test, scoring runs an almost four runs an over, and piled up a big first innings total of 444. English fast bowlers continued to trouble the Aussie batting line-up with their pace and reverse swing. Australia were set a steep target of 423 to win, and aided by a Ricky Ponting ton, they were in the match for most of the final day.
After Ponting was dismissed, Australia were 354 for 9 with four overs left. The last wicket pair of McGrath and Lee hung on for the last 24 deliveries to salvage a draw. It was tantalisingly close end to a tensely fought encounter.
England win the fourth Test at Tent Bridge to go up 2-1
McGrath was once again ruled out, and the out of form Jason Gillespie was dropped, leaving Australia with a relatively weaker fast bowling attack comprising Brett Lee, debutant Shaun Tait and Kasprowicz.
England once again batted first, scoring 477 aided by a century from Flintoff. Australia in reply were bowled out for 218 in their first innings, once again rattled by the English pace attack. Simon Jones once again troubled them with his swing bowling at high pace.
England made Australia follow on, the first time Australia were made to follow on in 17 years. The injury to Simon Jones created troubles for the English side and Australia took advantage in their second innings, scoring 387 runs, with contributions from many batsmen.
However, England were still a favourite to win with only 129 to chase in the fourth innings. Despite a great bowling effort from Shane Warne, England managed to reach the target with three wickets in hand and took a 2-1 lead in the series.
First Ashes victory for England in 18 years
The final Test saw England score 373 in their first innings, in whose reply Australia scored 367 in their first essay. England score 335 in their second innings, which ended late on the final day of the match, leaving Australia an impossible target of 341 to chase in 19 overs.
The highlight of the match was a second innings 158 by Kevin Petersen, who displayed a great brand of attacking cricket on the final day of the series, and ensured England drew the match and won back the Ashes. The celebrations which followed are a testimony to the importance of this sporting event in British sports’ history.