Ashes 2005: The Greatest Test Series Ever Played

The 2005 Ashes series between England and Australia is the most celebrated Test series in modern cricket. Five matches produced four results, with three decided by margins of 2 runs, 1 wicket, and 3 wickets respectively. England won 2-1 to end 18 years of Australian Ashes dominance dating back to 1989.

Match by Match

• 1st Test, Lord's — Australia won by 239 runs. Early indication of Australia's quality but England's fast bowlers took 9 wickets.
• 2nd Test, Edgbaston — England won by 2 runs in the most dramatic Test finish for years. Australia needed 3 to win; Michael Kasprowicz gloved a wide ball to the keeper, given out for 2.
• 3rd Test, Old Trafford — Draw. Ricky Ponting played arguably the innings of the series (156) to save Australia. Last pair Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath held on.
• 4th Test, Trent Bridge — England won by 3 wickets. Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff were outstanding; Matthew Hoggard took crucial wickets.
• 5th Test, The Oval — Draw. Kevin Pietersen scored 158 to save England and clinch the series.

Andrew Flintoff

Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff became England's hero of the series. His bowling was hostile and his batting match-altering — he scored 402 runs and took 24 wickets across the series. The image of Flintoff consoling Brett Lee at Edgbaston after a 2-run England win became one of sport's defining photographs.

Kevin Pietersen at The Oval

With England's lead at risk in the 5th Test and losing wickets at The Oval, Pietersen counter-attacked with an extraordinary 158 including 7 sixes. It was one of the great pressure innings in Ashes history, securing the draw England needed to clinch the series.