The Ashes 2001

Tournament Overview

Series Overview

The 2001 Ashes saw Australia at the peak of their powers under Steve Waugh, winning 4-1 to extend their dominance to six successive Ashes series. England, captained by Nasser Hussain, competed courageously but were simply outclassed by a team of extraordinary quality. Glenn McGrath was the series' dominant performer — his 32 wickets at an average of under 17 representing one of the finest sustained pace bowling exhibitions in Ashes history. McGrath's ability to pitch the ball on a precise line just outside off stump and extract movement consistently made him virtually unplayable on England's pitches. The highlight of England's performance came in the fourth Test at Headingley, where Mark Butcher produced one of the greatest match-winning innings in Ashes history. Chasing 315 on the final day — a target most believed impossible — Butcher scored a brilliant 173 not out, playing some exquisite driving and cutting. England completed the chase with 6 wickets to spare, giving their fans a rare moment of joy in an otherwise painful series. Shane Warne, returning from a shoulder injury, played a pivotal role in the early Tests and reminded English batsmen that no pitch was ever truly safe against him. Australia's batting — Hayden, Slater, Ponting, the Waugh twins, Gilchrist — was formidable throughout, ensuring that when McGrath and Warne created pressure, it converted into scoreboard dominance.

Key Highlights

• 1Australia won 4-1 to retain the Ashes — their sixth successive series win
• 2Mark Butcher's unbeaten 173 at Headingley — chasing 315 in the fourth innings — gave England their only victory
• 3Glenn McGrath took 32 wickets in the series at an average of 16.93, destroying England's batting lineup
• 4Shane Warne was back to his devastating best after injury, turning the ball sharply on England's pitches
• 5Steve Waugh became only the second captain to win four consecutive Ashes series

Teams

Explore

Series Archive