This is the 24th and final part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

The celebrations carried from Monday, September 12th into the following day, with England paraded on open-top buses in London; Man of the Series Flintoff may or may not have had one too many celebratory beverages. It’s an enormous accomplishment, regaining the urn after two decades of disappointment.

But how does Australia respond in the following series, in 2006-07? They whitewash England, winning all five Tests by huge margins, in what proves to be the final Tests for greats like Warne, McGrath, Langer. It’s also the final Ashes series for Gilchrist and Hayden, as that generation of cricketers moves onto retirement, but not before going out in style.

The two meet again in England in 2009, with the hosts making changes at both coach (Duncan Fletcher to Andy Flower) and captain (Vaughan to Flintoff to Strauss). Prior to the final Test at the Oval, Flintoff announces he will retire from Test cricket, but not before one last significant contribution, a run-out of Ponting in Australia’s second innings. England are buoyed by that turning point, going to win the match and regain the urn.

In 2010-11, England take control of the series from the second Test on. After a draw in Brisbane, the visitors win in Adelaide by an innings, appearing poised and ruthless, like many Australia sides from the previous generation. Although Mitchell Johnson single-handedly wins the Perth Test for Australia, England comes right back and embarrasses Australia at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, one of the very few visitors during that occasion who aren’t the intimidated, but rather the intimidators. England go on to win three Tests that Australian summer by an innings.

2013 is the third straight series that England retain the urn, the first time that’s happened since 1981. Alastair Cook has succeeded Strauss as captain, while Joe Root introduces himself to the world with strong performances. Bell, one of the last remaining veterans from 2005, has the series of his life, deservedly earning Man of the Series honors. But because of multiple reasons, the next series is held just months later, and just as Bell was England’s hero in July & August, Johnson becomes Australia’s hero from November to January, helping Australia to another whitewash, this time under new captain Clarke.

The most recent series just concluded this summer, with England regaining the urn in a 3-2 series win. It was a meeting full of ups and downs for both sides, with England securing victory with a pair of victories in the third and fourth Tests, both of them not even needing three days to finish. It’s a series that perhaps saves Cook’s legacy as captain, while Clarke retired following Australia’s win at the Oval. There will be plenty to look forward when the two nations meet again in another installment of the historic rivalry.

This concludes the 2005 Ashes Rewind series, a summer that no cricket fan – English, Australia, or neutral – will ever forget.

This is the 23rd part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

It’s all come down to Monday, September 12. The motives are simple: England need to bat all day to guarantee they regain the Ashes; Australia need to bowl the hosts out and hope there’s enough time to reach the target. For neutrals, a perfect finish would be England all out around tea, allowing Australia one session to make enough runs to win, meaning they’d take a T20I or ODI approach.

Morning

Vaughan & Trescothick walk out to tremendous applause from the England faithful, and the captain responds by sending the second ball of the day for a boundary. McGrath and Lee alternate overs, with conditions perfect, allowing both fast bowlers to participate. However, Warne’s break is brief; he limits runs to start, but sloppy fielding keeps the batsmen not out. But in over 23, Australia strike; McGrath baits Vaughan into edging behind, and Gilchrist makes an excellent dive for the catch. The next ball, Bell edges to Warne at slip, and McGrath finds himself on the verge of a hat-trick. That delivery is deflected off Pietersen’s shoulder, and although it’s caught, Billy Bowden correctly rules it wasn’t off the bat. Trescothick adopts a more defensive approach, letting Pietersen take charge. When Lee begins a new spell, he nearly gets the South African-born batsman, but Warne drops the edge at slip! Pietersen then starts and ends a Warne over with sixes. The spinner remains determined, getting Trescothick lbw, before getting Flintoff caught & bowled for 8. Pietersen, with some minor assistance from Collingwood, guides England to 127/5 at lunch; it’s playing out just the way neutrals would’ve hoped.

Afternoon

Collingwood struggles to get his first run of the innings, while Pietersen plays aggressively, inspired by his captain’s pep talk during the interval. He brings up his 50 and England’s 150 by hitting boundaries off Lee, who is regarded as the fastest bowler in the world in 2005. Pietersen’s batting is symbolic of the entire summer; that England were not going to roll over and lose another Ashes series tamely. McGrath and Warne quickly limit the run-making with several maiden overs, but neither can find a wicket until Collingwood, while defending, sends a ball to Ponting. Pietersen reaches the 80s, taking control of his partnership with Jones. Tait bowls his first over of the innings in the 57th, and while it starts with consecutive Pietersen boundaries, the bowler finds Jones’ off stump for the seventh wicket. Giles brings up the 200, but there’s still plenty of time for Australia to bat if they can keep getting wickets. Pietersen gets to the “Nervy Nineties,” looking for his very first Test century. He gets it with a boundary off Tait to extra cover, a fantastic performance for a player making only his fifth Test appearance. He and Giles see out the rest of the over; England are 221/7 at tea, still time for Australia if they get the remaining three wickets quickly.

Evening

Giles and Pietersen dig in for what they hope is a long partnership at bat, with the match still in the balance. Giles directs a Lee delivery for four, while Pietersen maintains his aggressive stance seeking boundaries. They bring up the 250, while Ponting summons McGrath, likely Australia’s last roll of the dice to get a result. But in the 79th over, Giles gets two fours off the fast bowler, followed by Pietersen bringing up his 150 off Warne and effectively ending any doubt. McGrath eventually bowls the centurion for 158, as Pietersen is deservedly given a warm ovation. It also proves the final broadcast spell on British television for longtime commentator Richie Benaud, a poignant moment for cricket historians.

Giles & Hoggard play conservatively, trying to bat out the rest of the day, but Giles falls after a well-played 59, followed by Harmison. As Australia exits the field, the crowd is aware that this is likely the last Ashes Test in England for two of the greatest bowlers in the game: Glenn McGrath & Shane Warne. The two are duly given a warm ovation as they enter the dressing room.

England finish the second innings 335 all out. Australia need 342 runs to win.

Australia have 18 overs to make 342 runs, a rate of 19 per over. Not impossible, but especially given that this is a Test, highly unlikely. Nonetheless, Hayden & Langer walk to the crease for their second innings, the former to face the first ball. Langer’s shoulder deflects the fourth ball to the boundary for four leg byes, when the batsmen accept the light and exit the field. Play has not been officially called yet, as England fans have to decide whether or not to begin celebrating. After a lengthy deliberation, umpires Billy Bowden & Rudi Koertzen eventually make their way back to the stumps and remove the bails simultaneously, ending the series. After two decades of being second-best to their rivals, England have regained the Ashes!

Australia are 4/0 in the second innings when the match ends.

The fifth Test is drawn. England wins the series 2-1.

This is the 22nd part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

After Day 3 was filled with delays, players and fans are hopeful that Day 4 will have at least fewer interruptions, if there must be any. England take the new ball early in the morning, and Flintoff quickly strikes, getting Martyn to pull to Collingwood. Clarke now joins Hayden at the crease, the opener wanting to add more runs to his century. After the 84th over, the umpires again examine the cloudy conditions, and offer the light; predictably, the batsmen choose to play on. They bring Australia to 300, putting them in position for a substantial first-innings lead. A light drizzle arrives in south London, but play continues given the circumstances for this Test. Hayden and Clarke add boundaries, before adopting a strategy of getting singles, but Flintoff eventually gets the opener lbw for 138. In his next over, the all-rounder dismisses Katich the same way, and momentum starts to shift back to England. Gilchrist scores a pair of boundaries off one Hoggard over, as the keeper and Clarke take Australia to 350. But Hoggard keeps his composure and gets Gilchrist lbw on the last ball before lunch, Australia 356/6.

Afternoon

Hoggard started the 102nd over getting Gilchrist, and nearly ends with Clarke’s wicket, but Geraint Jones drops. His very next over, the fast bowler gets Clarke for 25, as momentum starts to shift back to England. Australia start to hesitate, resulting in a 10-ball duck for Shane Warne, and later a six-ball duck for Glenn McGrath. Lee and Tait struggle to form a long-lasting partnership, with Lee quickly gone for 6. After getting to 300/3, Australia hand England a first innings lead.

Australia finish the first innings 367 all out.

The poor light continues, with Lee only bowling one over to start. However, Warne’s first over gets Strauss after just one run. It’s exactly the start Australia need, but in the middle of the spin bowler’s next over, the umpires offer the light again, and Vaughan takes it. There will eventually be an early tea taken, with light still affecting the conditions, with England 7/1.

Evening

Conditions do improve not just enough for play to continue, but for McGrath to bowl. To start the session, the Australians enter the field all wearing sunglasses, in another classic image of the summer. Vaughan digs in, playing consecutive boundaries off McGrath, while Trescothick gets patient runs off Warne. But the clouds again dim the light, prompting Ponting to bring Clarke into the attack. He concedes only six runs in two overs. Warne bowls two deliveries in the 14th over, before Billy Bowden & Rudi Koertzen again stop play, offering the light, which the English batsmen gratefully take. The crowd have mixed feelings about the stoppage; they want to see more fantastic cricket, but they know that no play brings England that much closer to regaining the urn. After deliberation, stumps is eventually called, perhaps fitting that the final Test of this incredible series would go to the final day. All three results are still possible, with cricket fans ready to witness the end to an amazing summer.

After Day 4, England are 34/1 in the second innings. They lead by 40 runs.

This is the 21st part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

With poor weather delaying the start of the third day, Hayden & Langer continue their purposeful start to Australia’s first innings, the latter reaching 80. Hayden then takes charge of the partnership for a bit, targeting Hoggard for several key boundaries. In the eighth over of the morning the rain returns, prompting another brief delay. When play resumes, Hayden collects his 50, continuing to collect boundaries and take Australia to 150. Langer gets to 91, managing only 16 runs in the session; it is a higher number, however, than the number of overs played (14) as Australia are 157/0 at lunch.

Afternoon

The batsmen open the second session with consistent singles and doubles, with Giles and Harmison still unable to remove either one. Langer brings up a century, his first of the summer, with a boundary to third man off Harmison. Two balls later, another boundary takes the veteran to 7000 career Test runs. But after several wide and no-ball deliveries, Harmison strikes in that same over, finding the edge of Langer’s bat which deflects the ball onto the stumps. It’s an important 105 for the opener, and the wicket comes almost right as the rain returns to south London, this time severe enough that puddles are forming on the covers. The two umpires take the tea break there and then, with Australia 185/1.

Evening

After deferring to Langer for the majority of the first-wicket partnership, Hayden takes charge in his quest for a much-needed century. Ponting gets a break when he appears to edge to Bell, but Billy Bowden doesn’t see the contact and doesn’t give the captain out. Hayden reaches 90, and has now scored 1000 runs in Ashes Test matches. The opener finally gets the coveted 100 with a boundary to end a Flintoff over, and the bowler sportingly congratulates the batsman. The very next over, Giles nearly completes all six deliveries before another rain delay; that’s the third one of the day since play began, and that’s not counting the wave that pushed back the start of the day. This break goes quickly, however, and Australia bring up the 250, still only one wicket down. The crowd has largely stayed put at the Oval even with the stoppages, not wanting to miss out on any critical moment. Ponting reaches 35 before Flintoff baits him into directing a shot to Strauss for the second wicket. Martyn provides run support for Hayden, and the two remain not out in the 79th over when the umpires offer them the light, which they take, effectively ending the third day’s play.

After Day 3, Australia are 277/2 in the first innings. England lead by 96 runs.

This is the 20th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

Australia, fully aware that a draw won’t be enough to retain the urn, get an early wicket, Lee bowling Jones in the second over of the day. The bowlers don’t think they’ll need much time to take care of the tail end, but Giles bats bravely. Hoggard, however, goes for only 2, but Harmison takes England to 350 before collecting three straight boundaries off a Lee over. Warne takes the final wicket of the innings, trapping Giles lbw for 32.

England finish the first innings 373 all out.

Australia only get seven overs before the lunch break, and Langer takes the initiative in the opening wicket partnership, taking the majority of runs off Hoggard & Harmison. Langer directs the final ball of the session to the extra cover boundary, and the batsmen – both of them still looking for a century – have some confidence at 19/0.

Afternoon

Langer remains in charge of the partnership, quickly getting to 25. The two bowlers England used before lunch are still in action, aware they’re carrying a three-man burden among them with Simon Jones absent. Flintoff also comes into the attack, and is able to lower the run rate, but also struggles to find a wicket. Hayden brings up Australia’s 50 with a boundary, while the very next over, with Giles introduced, Langer gets a pair of sixes off the the spin bowler, bringing up his individual 50. Collingwood only concedes three runs in his first over, but like the other bowlers, doesn’t find a breakthrough. Flintoff is brought back right before the tea break, and while his first over back is a maiden, Langer takes Australia to the 100 mark, with the opening batsmen appearing confident. Hayden & Langer take the visitors to 112/0 at tea.

Just as the players get ready for the final session of the day, umpires Billy Bowden & Rudi Koertzen notice the unusually dark conditions. It’s been overcast throughout the day, with rain on and off in different parts of London. The Australian batsmen, upon being offered the chance to return to the dressing room for bad light, take it. Rain arrives at the Oval as the afternoon goes on, with the umpires eventually declaring that there will be no evening session, meaning stumps for the second day.

After Day 2, Australia are 112/0 in the first innings. England lead by 261 runs.

This is the 19th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

It’s come down to the final Test of the summer in south London; Australia needing a win just to draw the series and retain the urn. England only need a draw, but many hope they’ll be playing for a win. As far as team news, Simon Jones has not recovered from his Trent Bridge injury, and is replaced by Paul Collingwood. McGrath is back for Australia, in what is likely his final Ashes Test in England.

England win the toss and choose to bat.

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

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

Morning

McGrath and Lee open the bowling attack, but Trescothick & Strauss take charge after weathering an early storm. Tait also gives up early runs, as England reach 50 in the 12th over. Warne gives up 9 in his first over, as while the openers continue their confident start. Following the drinks break, the spinner eventually helps Australia settle, baiting Trescothick to edge to Hayden at slip on 43. McGrath keeps struggling though, not because of injury, but because of England’s resilience. Vaughan later goes after mistiming a Warne delivery, but not before England get to 100. But Warne gets Bell for a seven-ball duck, giving the hosts a little bit of doubt, as they go into lunch 115/3.

Afternoon

Warne and Lee target Strauss as he closes in on 50, but the opener remains defiant. Pietersen adopts the more patient strategy, as Strauss gets his half century with a boundary off Lee. KP doesn’t fare as well, falling victim to Warne, who is showing signs of pulling a “Jim Laker” on Day 1. Strauss and Flintoff weather the threat, while Tait and Katich struggle when Ponting calls on them to make an impact. Flintoff brings England to 200 with a standard single, as Strauss approaches the 90s. The opener gets to 92, but can’t get to triple digits before the tea break, with England 213/4 at the interval. Both teams have had brief glimpses of momentum, and will look to keep it by the end of the day.

Evening

In the first over of the session, Flintoff gets to the 40s, allowing Strauss to face Lee instead of Warne to start the evening. The all-rounder gets his 50 with three straight fours off Warne, trying to get a second straight century after his success at Trent Bridge. In the 59th over, though, Strauss becomes the first player to get a second 100 of the summer, with a midwicket boundary off Lee. He later seems to edge behind to Gilchrist, but only Lee screams for a decision, and the batsman remains not out. Flintoff continues adding runs off Warne, including a six that takes him to 71. After a tough day, McGrath finally gets a wicket, claiming Flintoff for 72. Strauss continues to take charge at bat, while Collingwood can only get to 7 before Tait gets him lbw. Strauss eventually goes for 129, but another commanding innings on an important first day. Jones & Giles  see out the remaining overs of the day to put England in control.

After Day 1, England are 319/7 in the first innings.