Greatest Ashes Tests: In the first part of the series, we looked at two of the best Ashes Tests that were played in this century. The 2013 Nottingham Test saw fortunes seesaw on each day of the Test. Incidentally, most of the iconic Ashes thrillers have been played in England.
It probably dates back to the 1981 series where Sir Ian Botham took it upon himself to make England win. His feat is often regarded as the greatest-ever individual performance in a Test series. It is no surprise that two of the greatest Ashes Tests were also played in England.
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We look at two of the greatest Ashes Tests:
#2 Headingley, 2019
Australia was leading the series 1-0 heading into the third Test. Steven Smith the best batter across both teams was declared unfit after undergoing a concussion. England had to win the Test to stand a chance to win the series. They made a terrific start to the Test bowling out Australia for 179 after opting to field first. Jofra Archer breathed fire as he picked up 6-45. Australia lost their last 8 wickets for 43 runs!
England’s pathetic response:
The English response was pathetic. Joe Denly was the only batter who got into double figures. Josh Hazlewood picked up a fifer while Pat Cummins and James Pattinson picked up 3 and 2 wickets respectively. Australia had a series-defining lead of 112 to play with. It was Marnus Labuschagne once again who played a solid hand to take Australia’s second innings total to 246. England needed 359 runs to win and level the series 1-1.
The sedate start:
English openers once again had a torrid time with both the openers back with the score reading 15-2. Denly and Joe Root stitched a valuable partnership but the former departed after scoring exactly 50. Ben Stokes walked in at number 5 and played well within himself for the first 70 odd-balls.
With Root falling at 159-4, he let Bairstow do most of the damage and they both took the score to 245. A win appeared to be a possibility but quick wickets dent England’s chances. They lost 5 wickets for 41 runs to be stranded at 286-9.
A Stokes special:
It was at this point in time, Ben Stokes took the onus upon himself. He started carting Australian bowlers to all parts of the ground. Stokes cleared the fence 8 times in his match-winning knock. Australia started crumbling under pressure. They missed an easy runout and a lbw decision. Stokes finally hit a Pat Cummins delivery to the boundary and lofted up his arms. It remains one of the greatest sporting images in recent times.
#1 Edgbaston, 2005
The Ashes series prior to 2005 had a very repetitive narrative. Australia would win the series 4-1 or margins similar to this. Michael Vaughan led England came into the 2005 Ashes amidst high confidence. But they were provided a rude shock in the very first Test as Glenn McGrath, England’s preeminent nemesis tore into England’s batters. On a cloudy opening day of the second Test, Australia chose to field first.
The first glimpse of the Bazball:
England put on an attacking display of batting catching Australia unawares. All their first six batters struck in excess of 58. Marcus Trescothick, Kevin Pietersen, and Andrew Flintoff all played their parts to perfection. England were bowled out for 407 on day 1 in just 80 overs.
The much heralded 5-pronged bowling attack:
It was from this Test that England’s famed 5-pronged bowling attack came to their rescue. All the bowlers kept chipping in at different intervals to restrict Australia to 308. The home side had a decisive 99-run lead. England was in all sorts of trouble in the second innings once at 31-4 and then at 75-6. But Flintoff kept England in the hunt. The big burly allrounder scored a famous 73 that ensured England posted a respectable target of 282 for Australia.
A thrilling Day 3:
Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden made a brilliant start as they scored 47 runs inside 12 overs. It was the turn of Flintoff the bowler who removed Langer and captain Ricky Ponting in the same over. Australia at 175-7 appeared to be moving towards the target in the company of Michael Clarke and Shane Warne. But a brilliant slower ball right at the end of the day’s play from Steve Harmison got Clarke bowled. It was advantage England at the end of day 3.
An iconic finish:
Warne and Brett Lee put up a strong partnership to unsettle England. The pair put on 45 runs and it was that man Flintoff again who removed Warne to a hit wicket. England relaxed believing the game is now in their grasp. But Lee and Michael Kasprowicz had other ideas. They put on a spirited partnership that took Australia to the brink.
Harmison then bowled a sharp bouncer to Kasprowicz who ducked and got his glove off the bat handle. But umpire Billy Bowden ruled it in England’s favour. There were unreal scenes around Edgbaston as the fans couldn’t believe what they witnessed. Flintoff patted a desolate Lee and that signalled the spirit in which the series was played. No wonder this series is regarded as the best ever!
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