Three lions got their hands on "The Ashes"

Ashes 2005 is widely regarded as the best test series in history of cricket. The matches were nail-biting, provided great entertainment hosted in England.

The Australian cricket team was at its peak (possibly in its cricketing history) during that time. It wasn’t only this but arguably one of the greatest cricket teams ever. England in 2005 managed to build a side that could match that great Australian side for talent. (Although the Aussies had more talent England had a home advantage) so the two sides went into the series on an almost equal platform, all things considered. It is also important because England had not won the Ashes after 1986–87.

If we talk about the detail of the test series here is a short summary of the five nail-biting test matches played.

First test at Lord’s after England bundled Australia for 190 they found themselves reeling at 21/5 after a burst from McGrath a counter from debutant Pietersen but out for 155, Australia racked up 384 and England again scuttled out for 180 with Pietersen running out of partners with 64* Australia won by 239 runs.

Second Test at Birmingham, England rake up 407 with Trescothick’s 90 and Australia reply with 308. Then Warne weaves a web and target is restricted to 282. Australia started well, England counter attacked, Flintoff and Simon Jones deliberately bowled cross seam for a long period in order to rough up one side of the ball so that they could obtain reverse swing. The rest is history. Simon Jones got Michael Clarke with an absolute jaffa of a delivery and the bowlers dominated that day along with Flintoff. This good bowling form of his also translated to his batting where he scored a century in Trent Bridge and useful contributions whenever needed. Australia again fought only to fall off by 2 runs.

Third Test at Manchester with Vaughan’s 166 England rack up 444 and Warne goes past 600 test scalps. Australia has a positive start and find themselves at 214/7 and a Warne special takes them to 302. Strauss hits a ton. Australia are set 423 to win and Ponting scores a 156 and Lee-McGrath salvage a draw with 1 wicket remaining.

Fourth Test at Nottingham, This time Freddie comes to the party and England score 477. Australia are bundled out for 218 and were enforced to follow-on after 17 years. Following-on they put up 387 leaving England 129 to win and take a lead in the Ashes. England had a steady start only to fall to Warne and Lee, then Freddie and KP build a small partnership and fall and finally Giles and Hoggard sail them home and they take a 2–1 lead.

Fifth and Final Test at Oval. England need to win/draw this match to win the Ashes as a drawn Ashes series results in Australia holding to the Ashes. England put up 373, Australia reply with 367. Warne and McGrath try their best but a maiden century from KP eliminates a result and the match ends in draw. Thus England regains the Ashes after 18 years with a margin of 2–1 against the World No.1 team.

If you looked at Andrew Flintoff's test stats you would wonder what the hype was all about. Just 3 five wicket hauls in 70 odd test matches and a handful of centuries (total of 5). What happened in Ashes 2005 was the impact he created single handedly in each and every match whenever the team was in trouble. He would either bail the them out of tough situations or would break a partnership when the opposition was dominating and so this legendary series with numerous nail biting scenarios ended where England emerged victorious.