The 2005 Ashes Edgbaston Test: The Greatest Test Match Ever Played?
The 2005 Ashes Edgbaston Test — England's remarkable two-run victory, Flintoff's heroics, Harmison's bowling, Brett Lee's defiance, and why it is considered the greatest Test match in cricket history.
The Second Test of the 2005 Ashes series at Edgbaston, Birmingham, played August 4–7, 2005, ended in the smallest margin of victory in Test history at that time — England winning by 2 runs after an Australian last-wicket partnership of 59 between Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz reduced the requirement from 107 to 2 before Steve Harmison had Kasprowicz caught behind. The match is regularly cited by cricket writers, players, and fans as the greatest Test match ever played.
The Setup
England had lost the First Test at Lord's by 239 runs. Australia's bowling attack of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, and Shane Warne was still the most feared in world cricket. England's captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and chose to bat — a decision shaped partly by the news that Glenn McGrath had twisted his ankle on a warm-up ball just before the match and would miss the Test. England attacked from ball one: Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss put on 112 for the first wicket and England scored 407 all out from 79.2 overs — then the fastest 400 in Test cricket at 4.95 runs per over.
The Final Day — Australia Need 107
- Australia entered the final day needing 107 more runs with 2 wickets remaining: Brett Lee (1) and Michael Kasprowicz (0) to bat. Shane Warne was injured.
- Flintoff bowled a nine-over morning spell of controlled aggression — one wicket but primarily containing, forcing Lee to take the attack.
- Lee (43) and Kasprowicz (20) built a partnership that took Australia's requirement to single figures.
- At 2 runs needed, Steve Harmison bowled a short delivery, Kasprowicz flinched and gloved it to Jones behind the stumps.
- Replays suggested Kasprowicz's hand was off the bat handle at the moment of contact — technically not out under modern rules — but the decision stood in 2005.
- England won by 2 runs. Andrew Flintoff famously knelt to console Brett Lee in one of cricket's most iconic moments of sportsmanship.
What Made It the Greatest Test Match
Cricket writers cite multiple factors that make this Test exceptional: the complete reversal of fortunes across four days (England's commanding first innings total turned into a last-ball escape), the quality of performances across both teams (four England bowlers and three Australian bowlers performing at the peak of their abilities), the individual stories (Flintoff's all-round heroics, Harmison's match-turning second-innings spells, Lee's courageous last-wicket stand), and the humanity of the finish (Flintoff consoling Lee). The 2005 Ashes series — which England won 2-1 after 18 years of defeat — was itself extraordinary, and Edgbaston set the tone.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored the most runs in the 2005 Edgbaston Test?
England's Andrew Flintoff was the outstanding player in the 2005 Edgbaston Test with 141 runs (68 and 73) and 6 wickets (3 in each innings). His batting on both days and his bowling in Australia's second innings — particularly a spell to Ricky Ponting that produced outstanding deliveries — were central to England's victory. Kevin Pietersen (20 and 20) and Marcus Trescothick (90 in the first innings) were the other significant England batters. Shane Warne took 6 for 46 in England's second innings — a performance that almost won the match for Australia despite being on the losing side.
Why did Andrew Flintoff console Brett Lee after Edgbaston?
Andrew Flintoff immediately went to Brett Lee after the Edgbaston Test to acknowledge Lee's extraordinary courage in the final partnership. Flintoff, who had been England's hero with bat and ball, chose to make his first action on winning not a celebration with teammates but a human acknowledgment of what his opponent had contributed. Flintoff later said he simply felt for Lee — who had batted brilliantly in a losing cause and come within two runs of winning an improbable match for Australia. The gesture was entirely spontaneous and unrehearsed. It is now taught in cricket coaching courses as an example of maintaining respect for opponents.
Did Australia's Kasprowicz really get out in the 2005 Edgbaston Test?
The dismissal of Michael Kasprowicz — caught behind off Steve Harmison with Australia needing 2 runs for victory — was legitimate under 2005 rules. Kasprowicz gloved a bouncer to Geraint Jones behind the stumps. However, post-match replays showed Kasprowicz's hand appeared to have come off the bat handle at the moment of contact, meaning the ball hit his gloved hand when it was not gripping the bat — technically not a dismissal under the Laws of Cricket. DRS technology did not exist in 2005 Test cricket. The umpire gave it out; it stood. Modern DRS would likely have reviewed it, and Kasprowicz may well have survived, in which case Australia would have won by 1 wicket.