2005 Ashes: England's Greatest Series

The 2005 Ashes between England and Australia is frequently cited as the greatest Test series ever played. England had lost eight consecutive Ashes series spanning 16 years. Australia, captained by Ricky Ponting, arrived with a side that included Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, and the Waugh brothers' successors — widely regarded as the best team in Test history. England, led by Michael Vaughan, beat them 2-1.

First Test, Lord's: Australia Win Convincingly

Australia crushed England by 239 runs at Lord's. Glenn McGrath took 9 wickets in the match; Steve Harmison's opening delivery went to second slip. Expectations were that Australia would again dominate. Then Andrew Flintoff had a word with himself — and the Edgbaston Test changed everything.

Second Test, Edgbaston: The Two-Run Match

Edgbaston remains perhaps the greatest single Test match ever played. Glenn McGrath rolled his ankle on a cricket ball in warm-ups and missed the match. England scored 407 in their first innings. Australia were bowled out for 308 and 279 — set 282 to win. They reached 220/5. Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee put on 59 for the last wicket, taking Australia to within 3 runs of victory. Steve Harmison had Kasprowicz caught behind for 20 — some scorecards show glove contact, others show the ball hit arm. England won by 2 runs. The Edgbaston crowd erupted. The series was alive.

When Kasprowicz was given out to end the Edgbaston Test, Brett Lee sank to the crease in disbelief. Andrew Flintoff, who had bowled 37 overs in searing heat and taken 3 wickets, walked over to Lee and crouched beside him — a hand on his arm, a word or two in his ear. Photographer Tom Jenkins captured the image. It became the defining photograph of the 2005 series: the spirit of Test cricket in one frame.

Third Test, Old Trafford: Draw in the Final Over

Australia needed 423 to win and finished on 371/9 — Ricky Ponting's magnificent 156 nearly stole victory. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath batted out the final 24 balls to deny England. The draw was agonising for England fans but kept the series delicately balanced at 1-1.

Fourth Test, Trent Bridge: England Go 2-1 Up

England won by 3 wickets, with Matthew Hoggard taking 7 wickets in the match. Kevin Pietersen, in only his third Test, struck 45 crucial runs with the tail to push England past Australia's total. England led the series with one Test to play.

Fifth Test, The Oval: England Hold On

England needed only a draw at The Oval to win the series. Kevin Pietersen produced one of the great Test innings — 158 from 187 balls, including seven sixes off Shane Warne, when England were 133/5 and the series was in genuine danger. The innings is widely regarded as one of the most important in English Test history. England drew the match and won the series 2-1. The Ashes, lost in 1989, were home.