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.