2006-07 Ashes: Australia's 5-0 Whitewash
Australia's 5-0 Ashes whitewash in 2006-07 was one of the most emphatic series victories in Test history. England, the 2005 heroes, were outplayed in every department across all five Tests.
The 2006-07 Ashes in Australia produced one of the most one-sided series in Test cricket history. Australia, determined to reclaim the urn they had surrendered in 2005, defeated England in all five Tests — a 5-0 whitewash that ended in under two months. For Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, retiring after the series, it was the perfect send-off.
Why England Were So Outplayed
England arrived without Andrew Flintoff at full fitness and with a batting lineup that lacked the nerve for Australian conditions. Australia, led by Ricky Ponting, were at the height of their powers: Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer at the top, Ricky Ponting at three, and a pace attack of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark supported by Shane Warne. England's batters struggled against Warne's leg-spin on the WACA, Adelaide, and Melbourne pitches — surfaces that gave him turn and bounce throughout.
Adelaide Test: England's Heartbreak
The second Test at Adelaide Oval was England's best chance. They led Australia on first innings and had Australia at 4/3 in their second innings. Then Ponting and Clarke rebuilt; Andrew Flintoff — injured and ineffective — conceded the initiative. Australia set England 168 to win. They collapsed to 129 all out. Shane Warne took 4 wickets in the final session. The match, which England should have drawn at worst, turned the series beyond recovery.
Perth, Melbourne, Sydney: Ruthless Completion
Australia won at the WACA by 206 runs, at Melbourne by an innings and 99 runs, and at Sydney by 10 wickets. Each Test was decided in three to four days. Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne retired after the Sydney Test — Warne with 708 Test wickets, McGrath with 563. Both had finished their careers with a 5-0 home series — the perfect conclusion to their legendary partnership.
Legacy
The 2006-07 whitewash reminded cricket that the 2005 result was genuinely exceptional. Australia remained the dominant Test team until around 2009. For England, the series began a period of rebuilding that eventually led to the 2009 Ashes victory under Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower's coaching — and the 2010-11 series in Australia where they finally won on Australian soil.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2006-07 Ashes?
Australia won the 2006-07 Ashes 5-0, whitewashing England. It was a revenge result after England won 2-1 in 2005.
Did Shane Warne retire after the 2006-07 Ashes?
Yes. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath both retired from Test cricket after the Sydney Test in January 2007. Warne finished with 708 Test wickets; McGrath with 563.
Was the 2006-07 Ashes the last 5-0 whitewash?
Australia whitewashed England 5-0 in 2006-07. In 2013-14 Australia won 5-0 again in Australia. Both remain the only 5-0 results in Ashes history.