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.

This is the 13th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

Following the rain-shortened third day, Warne wastes little time getting to the 80s. Gillespie, who is known more as a blocking batsman, adopts that technique, playing patiently. Warne eventually gets to 90 before finding Giles at the fence, meaning another close call to a century but no cigar. Lee only manages one run before edging a Simon Jones delivery to Trescothick. Gillespie gets a notable six off Jones, taking Australia past 300, before falling lbw.

Australia finish their first innings 302 all out.

Trescothick & Strauss employ their almost-trademark slow start to England’s second innings, although lunch is taken after seven overs, with the hosts 25 without loss.

Afternoon

Trescothick takes charge of the opening partnership after the break, quickly getting to the 40s. However, McGrath gets his man, his first wicket since the Lord’s Test. Lee gets Vaughan not long after, following the captain slowly getting to 13. but when England are given a choice to stop play for a rain delay, they choose to bat on. It’s a risky decision, given the potential that Australia can seize the momentum in this Test. Strauss then takes charge of his partnership with Ian Bell, Lee & Warne struggling to get the opener out, as he reaches his half-century. England get to tea at 115/2, as they prepare for a scheduled three-hour post-tea session.

Evening

Bell continues to play the more patient role in the third wicket partnership, while Gillespie and Warne continue to bowl without rewards for their efforts. McGrath doesn’t fare much better, while Bell gets to the 40s and has the honor of bringing up England’s 200. Strauss continues his more aggressive approach, which leads to his sixth Test century, and first against Australia. After no centuries from either side in either of the first two Tests, England get individual 100s in both innings in Manchester. But that’s where the hosts’ fortune begins to run out; McGrath removes Strauss and Pietersen in the same over. Bell gets his 50, while Flintoff adds more run support, but McGrath bowls the all-rounder for 4, before getting Bell. Geraint Jones gets three boundaries off the fast bowler before Vaughan declares, giving Australia 35 minutes at bat in Day 4.

England declare their second innings at 280/6. Australia need 423 runs to win.

Hayden and Langer try to provide runs, knowing that the major battle will be if Australia can reach a target almost exactly what England faced at Lord’s. Fading light prompts Vaughan to bowl several overs of spin, and while he’s able to limit the runs, the captain is unable to find a wicket. Langer hits multiple boundaries to get to double digits, as Australia get to 24 without loss. For the first time in the series, a Test will go all five days.

After Day 4, Australia are 24/0 in the second innings. They need 399 to win; England need 10 wickets.

This is the 12th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

For the second time in the series, rain has affected the start of a day’s play. It resumes at 4 PM, with 38 overs scheduled. Australia need 30 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Evening

Warne & Gillespie, the two batsmen, seem more interested in playing dot balls than shots to start, although Warne gets to a half-century. He takes Giles for four but is very nearly stumped next ball, but Geraint Jones is unable to hold onto the ball. In the eighth over of the day, Warne gets 12 runs off Giles, as Australia avoid the follow-on. However, the rain returns, prompting another delay. Umpires Billy Bowden & Steve Bucknor decide that there will only six overs remaining when play resumes at 6:10 PM local.

Warne gets one more boundary off the remaining overs in the only action of note. When all is said and done for the day, there were 14 overs of play. Australia have managed 50 runs without losing a wicket, meaning they’ve avoided the follow-on. For England, it has the feeling of an opportunity lost, but the match is still up for grabs.

After Day 3, Australia are 264/7 in the first innings. England lead by 180 runs.

This is the 11th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as they occurred a decade ago.

Morning

Bell is now joined at the crease by Flintoff, still coming off his incredible bowling at Edgbaston but yet to make a meaningful contribution with the bat. However, Bell is unable to add to his overnight total of 59, edging behind to Gilchrist. Flintoff and Geraint Jones supply some order, taking England to 350. As the session proceeds, both batsmen are patient, adhering to the same technique that helped England post 400 at Edgbaston. There is a brief rain delay – a sign of things to come – but it doesn’t stop Jones & Flintoff bringing up a 400 in Manchester. With both men in the 40s, however, Australia finally get breaks; Flintoff can’t get enough off a Warne ball and he finds Langer. Then Gillespie, who has struggled all series, bowls Geraint Jones on what proves to be the final ball before lunch. England are 434/8.

Afternoon

The Australian bowlers continue to take advantage of England’s tail end, Warne getting Giles for a six-ball duck. Harmison bravely gets to double digits but the spinner’s next over sees Simon Jones bowled, ending a fantastic batting innings for the hosts.

England finish their first innings 444 all out.

Hayden & Langer begin comfortably, getting to 50 inside 13 overs. But Giles’ first over pays dividends, when Langer edges to Bell at short on. Ponting leads a more cautious approach , although Hayden gets into the 30s as tea is declared with Australia 73/1.

Evening

The final session of the day can’t start any better for England; Simon Jones gets Ponting for just 7. Giles traps Hayden lbw not long afterward, prompting Martyn & Katich to play more cautiously. They guide Australia to 100, but Flintoff bowls Katich with the first ball following the drinks break. Gilchrist starts his innings in his usual confident manner, but Giles bowls Martyn clean. Australia have already lost half their wickets and are still more than 300 behind. Gilchrist survives when Bell can only get fingertips on one hit, then gets a third life with another drop, shades of Michael Vaughan. Warne also plays defiantly at the other end of the crease, willing to help the Aussies’ wicketkeeper-batsman lay a foundation for a respectable total. But Gilchrist’s luck runs out when the two Joneses get him at 30. Clarke comes in to bat, despite suffering back problems that forced Australia to field a substitute in the first innings. His resistance only lasts 18 deliveries. Warne gets a massive six off Giles to bring up the 200, while he and Gillespie fight to end the day not out.

After Day 2, Australia are 214/7 in the first innings. England lead by 230 runs.

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.

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

Morning

Plenty of fans are in attendance for Day 4, even though the match could be over in the first two deliveries. Brett Lee survives the rest of the over, prompting him and Warne to bring the target under 100.  A Warne boundary off Flintoff brings up Australia’s 200, and a task that seemed almost impossible at the start of the day is slowly becoming possible. Flintoff concedes several more fours, while Giles is unable to make an impact. Then a full delivery from delivery forces Warne into his stumps, out hit wicket for 42. Australia are down to their final wicket, and still need 62 to win. However, Kasprowicz & Lee refuse to go down, using the cliche that the word “quit” is not in either man’s vocabulary. Giles’ struggles continue, forcing Vaughan to bring Harmison back into the attack. After 59 overs in the innings, Australia are just 20 runs from a victory. More boundaries and patient singles follow. After 62 overs, the target is only 6.

Simon Hughes describes the tension eloquently in his book Cricket’s Greatest Rivalry: “15,000 people in the ground, and millions on TV and radio were glued to the action, barely able to believe what was happening. With Australia now favorites to go 2-0 up in the series, England’s obituary writers were poised. The Premiership was due to start the following weekend and English cricket’s shop window would close – with its imminent transfer to satellite TV – possibly forever. British sport was about to become a monoculture dominated by Wayne Rooney, Wenger-bashing and the WAGs.”

However, Hughes also notes the change in emotion for the batsmen: “With possibility comes pressure…Caution and responsibility suppress a free spirit. They start leaving wider balls they would previously had a dart at…Anxiety transfers from bowlers to batsmen.”

At the start of the 65th over, Australia only need 4 to win. Brett Lee finds Simon Jones just short of the boundary for a single; either side of the Englishman and the match is over. But Kasprowicz is on strike, facing a dot ball. Then he deflects a Harmison delivery behind to a waiting Geraint Jones…

England have done it! Amid fears that 2005 would be another cakewalk of a series, England get a result that keeps their summer (and perhaps future summers in terms of popularity) alive. In one of the images of the series, Flintoff quickly offers commiserations to Lee, but the message has been sent to Australia: this series is going to be a battle.

Australia finish their second innings 279 all out.

England win the second Test by 2 runs. The series is tied 1-1.

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

Morning

Apparently, Warne bowling Strauss in the final over of the previous day has caused a change in momentum. In the fifth over of the day, Lee gets Trescothick & Vaughan in a four-ball span, while Hoggard, still at bat as nightwatchman, does his job well, but it’s not what England require at the moment. In his next over, Lee breaks Hoggard’s resistance, and England find themselves 31/4. Pietersen picks up where he left off in previous innings, twice taking Warne for six in one over. While Bell also puts together a steady performance, Pietersen’s progress is short-lived thanks to Warne, who also gets Bell in his next over. Then comes one of the telling moments of the series: after steering a Warne ball away, Flintoff experiences pain in his left shoulder. He’s able to stay not out all the way to lunch, with the hosts 95/6.

Afternoon

Lee strikes in the first over of the new session, getting Geraint Jones to edge to Ponting at slip. Flintoff, whose injury is not as severe as initially feared, responds with multiple boundaries off the fast bowler. Several overs later, Warne gets to the brink of a hat-trick, removing Giles & Harmison. Simon Jones, however, navigates the hat-trick ball smoothly, followed by Flintoff taking Kasprowicz and Lee for six twice. Simon Jones survives a potential lbw call, but Warne eventually bowls Flintoff for 73, his first Ashes half-century; the Australian shows great sportsmanship in congratulating the Englishman on his innings, while the umpires declare tea.

England finish their second innings 182 all out. Australia need 282 runs to win.

Evening

282 is much easier for Australia than 420 was for England at Lord’s, and the Langer/Hayden opening pair get to 47 comfortably. Then comes the 13th over, where Flintoff is summoned into the bowling attack, still on a hat-trick from the first innings. What followed was arguably the greatest over in modern Test cricket history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2yv7OIXKIc

With those deliveries, the momentum starts to swing back England’s way. Martyn & Hayden slowly attempt to restore the innings, but both depart relatively soon. Giles quickly gets Katich & Gilchrist, and Flintoff traps Gillespie lbw to leave Australia seven down, still less than halfway to their target. England claim the extra half-hour, hoping to end the match in three days. Clarke & Warne defiantly stay at the crease, and Australia look to get out of the evening still seven down. But in what turns out to be final ball of the day, Harmison bowls a slower delivery, catching Clarke by surprise with the middle stump exposed. England are on the cusp of a major victory.

After Day 3, Australia are 175/8 in the second innings. They need 107 to win; England need two wickets.

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

Morning

England’s good fortune from the opening day carries over into Day 2, Hayden out for a golden duck with the seventh delivery of the morning. Ponting responds with multiple boundaries, while Langer is patient to collect one or two runs at a time. The Aussie captain is more willing to play the daring shots, taking Australia to 50 after 10 overs – better than what England’s openers managed at that point the day before. More boundaries sees Ponting bring up his personal 50 after just 51 balls faced; he received criticism for choosing to bowl upon winning the toss, so this is a telling response. Giles eventually gets Ponting to edge to Vaughan, stopping his innings at 61. Langer, who has just gotten to 20 during all this, lets Martyn contribute more boundaries, before Vaughan runs Martyn out. Australia are 118/3 at lunch.

Afternoon

With Clarke joining Langer at the crease, the veteran opener lets his new batting partner take the lead. The boundaries come less often, while Giles, Hoggard, and Simon Jones alternate overs, none of them panicking. Langer brings up his half-century at a strike rate of a little over 50, while several overs later Clarke edges behind to Geraint Jones. Flintoff is brought on for a spell, and in his third over claims Katich for only 4, but not before Australia reach the 200 mark. Langer eventually gets to 70 while being paired with Gilchrist. The visitors have done well, losing only two wickets this session, and are 219/5 at tea.

Evening

Langer continues his patient innings, creeping into the 80s while Gilchrist gets into his 20s. Simon Jones finally gets Langer lbw for 82, ending a four-and-a-half-hour spell at bat. Warne hits a pair of boundaries before Giles bowls him clean. It’s a significant moment in the series; Giles may not be on Warne’s level as a bowler, but getting the wicket of his nemesis is especially satisfying. Gilchrist begins to run out of partners, as Lee edges to Flintoff at second slip. The Australian keeper brings up the team’s 300 in the 74th over, and gets to 48 himself, but Flintoff shows true brilliance; he gets Gillespie & Kasprowicz both lbw in successive deliveries to end the innings.

Australia finish their first innings 308 all out.

Trescothick and Strauss get off to another strong, confident start, reaching 25 in the first six overs. Warne is called to bowl the last over of the day, and finds the leg stump of Strauss, sending him back for 6. As nightwatchman, Hoggard sees out the remaining balls of the day. Warne has given England something to think about overnight, but it’s another day won by the hosts.

After Day 2, England are 25/1 in the second innings. They lead by 124 runs.

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

England are still trying to figure out exactly what went wrong at Lord’s, when they catch a big break in momentum; Glenn McGrath turned his ankle on a stray ball during warm-ups, and has been ruled out of the match. With Australia’s dominant bowling attack reduced by one, followed by the result of the toss, the hosts are optimistic about their chances in Birmingham.

Australia win the toss and choose to bowl.

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

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

Morning

England’s openers, Trescothick and Strauss, put together a few boundaries early on, scoring 44 in the first 10 overs. None of the Australian opening bowlers can find a breakthrough that proved so pivotal in previous matches. Both batsmen remain not out at the 20-over mark, with the crowd aware this could turn into a big day. Trescothick gets a half-century off Warne, while Strauss comes extremely close to one for himself as England post 100. However, Warne strikes in the penultimate over of the session, bowling Strauss onto the stumps for 48. In the last over before lunch, Trescothick gets three fours and a six off Lee, showing Australia that just when they thought they had a breakthrough, England wins the morning session easily, at 132/1.

Afternoon

To a degree, Vaughan picks up where Strauss started, contributing useful boundaries and getting 10 in one over off Kasprowicz. Trescothick – who is having his best innings against Australia – gets to the “Nervy Nineties” before edging behind to Gilchrist. Three balls later, Ian Bell is gone, Kasprowicz taking charge of the innings. Vaughan provides stability, eager to score runs while the bowler begin targeting Pietersen. However, Gillespie baits Vaughan into finding Lee at fine leg, and England – who got to 100 without loss – are now 187/4, Australia slowly inching their way back. Pietersen and Flintoff find confidence in boundaries, Freddie taking Warne over the long-on fence for a memorable six. The two continue adding boundaries, Flintoff getting a 50, taking England to 289/4 at tea.

Evening

Gillespie gets Flintoff to edge to Gilchrist with the third ball of the session, while Geraint Jones only manages one run before edging to the keeper himself. Giles hits a boundary off Kasprowicz to take England past 300, with Pietersen happy to provide more fours, and collect his third half-century in as many innings this series. Giles gets to a confident 23 before Warne traps him lbw, showing that the Australians still have the significant edge when it comes to spin bowling. Pietersen gets one more six off Lee before another effort two deliveries later is taken by Katich. Harmison then surprises everyone by taking six and four in consecutive balls, before being bowled by Warne. Hoggard and Simon Jones both do well to reach double digits, following the previous batsmen in taking boundaries. The last partnership takes the hosts to 400, more in this innings then the two at Lord’s put together. Warne gets one more lbw for his fourth wicket, but everyone agrees it’s been England’s day at Birmingham.

After Day 1, England finish their first innings 407 all out.

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

To the chagrin of Australian fans – and neutrals who want to see if Pietersen & Geraint Jones can put England on the cusp of an improbable win – rain in the area delays play until 3:45 PM, essentially meaning only one session.

Evening

Not long after the resumption, the visitors strike, McGrath getting Jones before Giles goes for a duck two balls later. It’s just the kind of start to the shortened Australia wanted, but the English weather intervenes again, causing a brief delay. The rain doesn’t disrupt McGrath’s rhythm, however, as he continues to use that Lord’s slope to his advantage, trapping Hoggard lbw. The one positive of the day for England is Pietersen getting a critical half-century, showing the selectors that they were right to pick him for the series. Two balls after the 50, Warne gets Harmison, prompting Pietersen to take charge, taking the spin bowler for six off the first ball of one over and four off the last ball of that over. That’s the last action of the Test in England’s favor, as the very next over, Simon Jones edges to Warne at slip, McGrath finishing the job he started three days earlier. A series that began with hope and an unpredictable start sees the first Test close with an all-too-familiar ending. England will have more than a week to prepare for the next meeting at Edgbaston, but the consensus feeling is that 2005 will end with another comfortable Australian victory.

England finish their second innings 180 all out.

Australia win the first Test by 239 runs. They lead the series 1-0.