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.