This is the second part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

It’s a day cricket fans, particularly those from England & Australia, have been waiting for: the start of a brand new Ashes series! Both teams arrive in North London at Lord’s, the “Home of Cricket,” knowing victory here can very easily lead to more success down the road.

Australia win the toss and choose to bat.

Australia – Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (c), Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath

England – Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan (c), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones (wk), Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones

Morning

Australia’s veteran openers, Langer & Hayden, largely cruise through the first eight overs, until the 48th delivery of the series sees Hayden misjudge a ball from Hoggard, who directs it into the stumps for the first wicket. Captain Ponting tries to provide a steady presence, but early in his innings is hit by a Harmison delivery so hard that he begins bleeding from the cheek. There is a noticeable lack of concern from the English players about Ponting’s well-being. He puts on a brave face and continues, but edges to Strauss after only scoring 9. Two overs later, Flintoff’s fourth delivery in an Ashes Test claims the wicket of Langer, shortly followed by Martyn’s departure, courtesy of the Joneses (no relation). Clarke and Katich do well to stay at the crease, but aren’t able to add many runs to the innings, and Simon Jones traps Clarke for the first lbw of the series. Adam Gilchrist contributes a pair of boundaries in the final over before lunch as Australia end the morning session 97/5.

Afternoon

Katich & Gilchrist use the break to settle down, and begin the second session comfortably, playing patient boundaries. That is, until the Aussie keeper edges Flintoff to a waiting Geraint Jones. Katich, now joined by Warne, remains defiant, as the two slowly build a partnership for roughly seven overs. Harmison responds by getting both batsman out in a span of three balls, followed by Lee in his next over. Harmison gets his fifth wicket of the innings by trapping Gillespie lbw, and the Australians’ first innings comes to an end before tea on the first day.

Australia finish their first innings 190 all out.

England begin their first innings patiently, getting to 10 runs without a wicket lost at the tea break.

Evening

The hosts’ conservative play doesn’t pay off, as Trescothick is dismissed via McGrath after scoring just one boundary. It’s the Australian’s 500th Test wicket, many of coming at Lord’s thanks to the infamous slope. Strauss follows his fellow opener back into the dressing room four balls later, as Vaughan departs not long after with a strike rate of only 15. McGrath wastes little time getting the wickets of Bell & Flintoff, the latter only at the crease for a four-ball duck. Pietersen slowly gains confidence at bat, as does Geraint Jones, and the two – batting fifth and seventh in the lineup – become the first to score double digits. Warne’s crafty spin creates a few nervous moments, but Lee baits Jones to pop up to Gilchrist, before getting Giles to edge with the last ball of the day. A thrilling end to a thrilling day!

After Day 1, England are 92/7 in the first innings. Australia lead by 98 runs.