This is the 14th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

The goals are simple for both sides; Australia need to bat out the day for a win or a draw, while England have the whole day to find 10 wickets. Old Trafford is filled to capacity long before the start of play, meaning the gates are closed, leaving 10,000 or more fans to find a second option to watch the end to the match.

Morning

England strike quickly, Hoggard’s first ball of the day catching Langer’s edge for the opening wicket. In comes Ponting, who like Vaughan went through a batting slump at Lord’s & Edgbaston. Giles is unable to find a breakthrough, while Ponting takes the more aggressive role in his partnership with Hayden. The opener does get several boundaries, but Flintoff bowls him on 36 after two hours at the crease. Simon Jones, who took six wickets in the Aussies’ first innings, doesn’t quite have the same success bowling at Ponting & Martyn, as the two batsmen are happy to settle for maiden overs before lunch. Australia are 121/2 at the break, still over 300 away from victory.

Afternoon

Judging by the behavior of the batsmen early in the second session, it appears Australia are more concerned about batting out the day and playing for a draw. Martyn goes lbw for 19, though replays will show he did get an edge. Australia slowly gets runs, as Ponting reaches a half-century, trying to emulate Vaughan’s 166 from the first innings. Flintoff struggles in his first over of a new spell, but claims Katich in his next over, Giles taking the catch at slip. Gilchrist & Ponting bring their target under 250, but the Australian keeper, renowned for his attacking mentality as a batsman, is more subdued, waiting to pounce on bowlers’ mistakes. He only gets to 4 before Flintoff picks up his third wicket of the innings. Vaughan comes on as a bowler, primarily to limit runs, but Australia reach 200. Clarke & Ponting see the visitors to tea at 216/5, Ponting at 91.

Evening

42 overs are scheduled for the final session of the Test, and Ponting wastes little time getting to his century. It’s a much-needed one for him as a batsman, and for the team given the match status. Simon Jones bowls Clarke, leaving Australia six down with Gillespie coming in ahead of Warne or Lee. The very next over, Hoggard gets Gillespie lbw for a duck. Warne joins Ponting, letting the captain face most of the deliveries. Australia’s target is now under 150, then at 125 with 20 overs remaining, but the batsmen seem more interested in a draw. Both remain defiant, with Ponting getting to 150. But with nine overs to go, Warne edges behind to Strauss at slip; it bounces off the right leg, but Geraint Jones makes a spectacular dive to record the catch, Warne gone for 34. Then in the final ball of the 104th over, Harmison finally gets Ponting after a remarkable 156. England have four overs to get the final wicket from a Lee-McGrath partnership. The bowlers target McGrath but he navigates through the pressure, leaving Lee to face the last delivery of the Test. Lee sends the full-toss to the boundary, and Australia have pulled off the escape. Their team erupts on the balcony, congratulating each other as if they’re celebrating a win. England know this was an opportunity lost, but seeing the Aussies’ reactions gives them hope that can repeat this kind of performance in the two remaining Tests of the summer.

Australia are 371/9 in the second innings when the match ends.

The third Test is drawn. The series remains tied 1-1.