Top 5 Ashes matches of the 21st century
The 21st century is still fairly young, but it has already had the decency to serve up some magical cricketing encounters – plenty of them coming in the Ashes. The England-Australia battle royal typically throws up some of the best that Test cricket has to offer; fortunately, we have been blessed with many unforgettable moments over the past decade and a half.Much of that is down to England’s increased competitiveness, after being trounced throughout the 1990s, but their renewed fight has also seen a fierce response from the Aussies, who happily dished out 5-0 whitewashes in 2006-07 and 2013-14.So, with the 2015 Ashes now a little over a fortnight away, let’s look back at the five most memorable contests since the turn of the millennium.
#5 Cardiff 2009: Match drawn
Following the 2005 Ashes – which saw England regain the urn after 18 years in the doldrums – the Poms promptly surrendered it meekly when they were trounced 5-0 Down Under, just a year and a half later. Back on home soil, the fight to rekindle the winning feeling began in thrilling fashion in the Welsh city of Cardiff.
The wonderful thing about cricket is that on occasions players are required to do a job they are not picked for. In this case, it was the responsibility of James Anderson and Monty Panesar – two bowlers – to bat for nearly 12 over without getting out, with their side one wicket from defeat. If they did so, England would draw, if not, Australia would win.
Somehow, they managed to survive. The pair stuck around, and in time, lifted pressure off of their shoulders and onto Australia’s bowlers, who had until then asserted total control. They eroded the deficit and forged a slight lead – runs that effectively counted double since Australia would have to chase them in the dying minutes of the final session.
With the light fading and the spinners unable to make the breakthrough, Anderson and Panesar achieved the impossible, walking off the field to a heroes’ reception. The escape inspired England and by the end of the summer they had reclaimed the Ashes, winning the series 2-1.