The 2005 Ashes: Why It Is Called the Greatest Test Series Ever

Context: 18 Years Without the Ashes

England had not won the Ashes since 1987. Australia under Steve Waugh and then Ricky Ponting had won seven consecutive series — the longest Australian Ashes dominance since the pre-World War era. The 2005 England side under Michael Vaughan contained the core of a generation: Trescothick and Strauss as openers, Vaughan at three, Pietersen at five, Flintoff at six, Jones keeping. Against them: Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Martyn, Clarke, Gilchrist, Warne, McGrath, Lee, and Harmison. Australia were world-ranked number one by a distance.

First Test: Lord's — Australia by 239

Australia demolished England at Lord's by 239 runs. McGrath took 9/82 across the match. Ricky Ponting scored 56. England were all out for 155 in the first innings and 180 in the second. It appeared the series would be a repeat of previous dominant Australian campaigns. McGrath had a famous pre-series bet (with someone): he predicted Australia would win 5-0. England fans lost hope. Then McGrath rolled his ankle on a cricket ball in the warm-up at Edgbaston.

Second Test: Edgbaston — England by 2 Runs

Without McGrath (injured), Australia were beatable. England scored 407 in the first innings; Australia 308. England 182 in the second; Australia needed 282. At 220/8, England still needed 2 wickets. Warne and Lee batted to 279/9 — 3 runs short. Then Harmison bowled Kasprowicz to win by 2 runs. Flintoff's 68 and 3/52 made him Man of the Match. The series was alive. The Edgbaston Test is consistently rated one of the most dramatic cricket matches in history.

Third Test: Old Trafford — Drawn

Australia fought back at Old Trafford. Ponting scored 156. McGrath returned to take 4/109. Australia needed 423 to win; at 340/9 (needing 83 more with one wicket left) they were set to be bowled out. Last pair Warne and McGrath batted out the final 24 balls to draw the match. Warne took 4/99 in England's innings. A draw that felt like a moral victory for Australia — they had come closest to victory.

Fourth Test: Trent Bridge — England by 3 Wickets

England won the Trent Bridge Test by 3 wickets to go 2-1 up and retain the Ashes if they drew the final Test. Flintoff was again central: 102 with the bat and 4/79 with the ball. Simon Jones and Steve Harmison were also effective with the ball. Australia fought hard — Gilchrist scored 27 quickly — but England chased 129 to win, albeit nervously (reaching 186/7 before completing the chase).

Fifth Test: The Oval — Drawn (England Retain)

England needed to draw The Oval Test to win the series. Kevin Pietersen batted through the final day for 158 — one of the great match-saving innings — as England set Australia an impossible target and then batted through the final session. The game was drawn; England won the series 2-1. The celebrations in London were extraordinary — England had won the Ashes for the first time since 1987. Most of the England team were awarded MBEs.