5 Ashes spells that completely changed the course of the match

Johnson bowled one of the most memorable spells in historyAs another installment of the greatest rivalry in cricket draws near, what better time to go back through the years and relive some of the most influential bowling spells in Ashes history? Big moments create big players, and there are no bigger moments with than the ball in an Ashes series than these 5 examples. Read on to reminisce on some great sporting moments, and get pumped up for the upcoming Ashes where the World Champions will take on England!

#5 Steve Harmison, First Test, The Gabba, 2006

Unlike the other four players in this list, Steve Harmison’s spell to start the first Test match of the 2006/07 Ashes series didn’t have a positive effect for his team, but it certainly set the tone for the course of the match! With hype and tension flying around the stadium in readiness for the summer of cricket to begin, Harmison ran in to bowl at Justin Langer, and delivered a shocking wide that was caught at slip by captain Andrew Flintoff.

Harmison turned in dismal first innings bowling figures of 1 for 123, and failed to take a wicket in the second innings. England never recovered from the horror start, being slaughtered by 277 runs in the match, and eventually lost the series as Australia proceed to torment them all summer long, claiming a 5-0 whitewash to reclaim the Ashes.