Memorable Test Matches in History:- The Iconic Ashes series that has a very long history, is set to start from August 1. The series reminds us of some of the most fierce battles on the field in the history of cricket. In every two years, both the teams, England and Australia start preparing for this historic series.
The significance of this is more than any ICC event. This year England will look to avenge their loss in the Winter of 2017-18. Since this year fans are expecting more drama and fierce cricket from their teams, let’s have a look at the top 5 Ashes Series Test matches that took place between the two nations:
1. Edgbaston, 2005 England- 407 & 182 Australia- 308 & 279 (England won by 2 runs) It was the second test match of the series where Australia were on the brink of victory before Michael Kasprowicz, the last man who gloved the ball to the wicket-keeper offering his very important wicket. Kasprowicz and Brett Lee, who hit 43 not out, put on 59 for the last wicket, chasing a ground record target of 282. Australia just needed 3 runs to win the match, until pacer Steve Harmison came back into the attack and delivered a short pitched delivery that registered the win for the home team. England won that match by just 2 runs, in the match that is etched in memories of the fans as one of the best matches of the century. Man of the match Andrew Flintoff, who did the damage on the third day with an innings of 73 in England’s second innings of 182 also finished with bowling figures of 4-79. This was the closest test match between the two rivals in the history of their rivalry.
2. Cardiff, 2009, England- 435 & 252/9 , Australia- 674/6 (Match Draw)
Electing to bat first, England made 435 in their first innings with Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood top scoring with 69 and 64 each. Australia gave a fitting reply by scoring 674 runs in their first innings. Four batsmen scored centuries with captain Ricky Ponting scoring 150. England started their innings on a poor show. They lost 2 wickets at the end of the fourth day with just 20 runs on the board. It was Collingwood’s perfect display of batting under such a nervy situation. He brought some resistance into the innings that was staring down the barrel. Peter Siddle struck at a crucial time, as he removed the settled Collingwood, and England looked in deep trouble. Wickets started tumbling, and Australia smelt victory. Then came the duo of Monty Panesar and James Anderson who stitched a patient partnership, fighting toe-to-toe with the Australian bowling line-up. Australian team was getting frustrated as the last duo did not throw their wicket easily. Ricky Ponting, who till now was banking on his pace department, brought in the spinners Nathan Hauritz and Marcus North. The match that was almost clinched by the Australians ended in a draw, courtesy of heroics of Panesar and Anderson carried the match towards the draw. It goes on to be listed in one of the best Ashes cricket match till now.
3. Melbourne cricket ground, 1982-83, England- 284 & 294, Australia- 287 & 288 (England won by 3 runs)
It was Australia who won the toss and elected to field first. England scored 284 in their first innings. Chris Tavare top scored with 89 runs. Australia came in to bat and could only score 287, managing a lead of just 3 runs. The wicket had started to show its colours as Australian side lost their last 4 wickets for just 11 runs. In the second innings, England got out for 294, with their opener Graeme Fowler top-scoring with 65 runs. Australian side was set a target of 292 runs that seemed to be par given the track has started to behave differently, and had deteriorated by the time the fourth innings started. But the home side were in rich vein of form and the target didn’t seem out of their grasps. England bowling struck with vengeance as pacer Norman Cowans picked 6 wickets that broke the batting line-up of Australia. Eventually, Australia lost the match by just 3 runs getting bundled out on 288. It was a very good comeback match for the visiting side who leveled the series 1-1.
4. Trent Bridge, 2005, England- 477 & 129-7, Australia- 218 & 387 (England won by 3 wickets)
Opting to bat, England notched up 477 in the first innings. Andrew Flintoff top scored with 102 runs down the order to help take the home side to a respectable total in their first innings. In reply, Australian innings wobbled on 218. Pacer Simon Jones took 5 wicket haul. Australia were enforced follow on. Put into bat in the second innings Australian team again faltered on 387, setting a meager target of 129 for the home side. England came into bat in the fourth innings that saw a beautiful display of bowling from Brett Lee and Shane Warne. England innings started to falter as the two bowlers gave it all. Matthew Hoggard and Ashley Giles had to face the wrath of Warne and other Australian bowlers. The match was going to end towards Australia’s victory as they had already taken 7 wickets. But the target they set was small. It was yet another nail-biting finale to a Test between these two sides. The match was finally clinched by England to take a lead in the 5 match series by 2-1.
5. Trent Bridge, 2013, England- 215 & 375, Australia- 280 & 296 (England won by 14 runs)
After winning the toss, England decided to bat first but were reduced to a meagre total of just 215 runs. It was the first match of the series and the home side didn’t want to start on a bad note. Peter Siddle was the pick of the bowlers as he picked 5 important scalps for his team. In reply, Australia got out for 280, thereby took a lead of 65 runs. Anderson shined with the ball as he picked up a 5 wicket haul. In their second innings the home side managed to score 375 runs, while setting up a stiff target of 311 runs for the visitors. Australia looked very rusty as their side lost wickets in heaps. Brad Haddin was playing a fighting knock, stitching a partnership of 65 runs with the tail-ender James Pattinson to reach a stiff total. Alastair Cook brought back Anderson into the attack, who finally gave his team the required breakthrough of Brad Haddin, getting him caught behind by Bairstow. It was Anderson’s 5th wicket of the innings that gifted England their first win of the series. It was a proper thrilling match, where England won the game. The game was really a mesmerizing one as it still keeps reminding the Australians of the last wicket of Brad Haddin.
