This is the 10th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Following the previous Test’s dramatic finish in Birmingham, English fans are out in full force in Manchester, hoping the hosts can take a series lead. Australia are encouraged by the surprise return of Glenn McGrath, who’s declared fit to play. His replacing Kasprowicz is the only change in either lineup.

England win the toss and choose to bat.

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

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

Morning

McGrath & Lee mostly struggle to start, with Trescothick doing the majority of the heavy lifting for the opening partnership. Strauss opts for a more patient approach, though it doesn’t pay off when Lee bowls him for only 6. That brings captain Vaughan to the crease; he’s made a grand total of 32 runs in the first four innings of the series. He lets Trescothick remain in charge, before getting multiple boundaries off Gillespie’s first over. That confidence inspires to Vaughan to quickly join Trescothick in the 20s, then overtake the opener. Lee & Gillespie appear to have no answers for the second wicket, who take England to 93/1 at lunch.

Afternoon

McGrath comes back not long after the break, but Trescothick gets 11 off his first over of the session. Later, Vaughan directs a delivery to Warne at slip, but he’s unable to make the catch and concedes a boundary. The next ball, McGrath bowls the skipper, only for a no ball to be called. Vaughan, now on his third life, continues his confident play, joining Trescothick at 50. It’s not until the 34th over that Ponting calls on Warne, who like the fast bowlers struggles at first. It’s not until the 42nd over that the spinner gets Trescothick for his 600th Test wicket – an emotional moment for Warne who is dealing with a separation from his wife. Ian Bell, like many batsmen before him, has an uncertain start to his innings, while Vaughan takes charge, getting into the 80s. The two remain not out all the way to tea, with England 195/2, Vaughan at 93.

Evening

Vaughan wastes little time getting to 99, and claims a century by directing McGrath to midwicket. It’s the first century this summer by any player. The captain remains the more dominant of the batsmen, taking Gillespie 6-4 in consecutive deliveries. Bell gets to 25, while Vaughan is again dropped, this time by the usually sure-handed Hayden! This prompts him to take fours off the first three balls of a Gillespie over, bringing up his 150. But in the 75th over, Vaughan directs a shot to McGrath, with Katich bowling! Still, it’s a 166 that England desperately needed from their captain. Bell and Pietersen put together a steady partnership, the former reaching his half-century and directing England to 300. Late in the day, Ponting opts for the second new ball, and Lee quickly responds by taking Pietersen for 21. Then on what turns out to be the final ball of the day, Lee sends one into Hoggard’s off stump, but England know they’ve won the first day.

After Day 1, England are 341/5 in their first innings.