This is the 18th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

With Australia still trailing England, Katich and Clarke are aware that any careless shots can lead to a collapse that would result in an innings victory for the hosts. Accordingly, they patiently take singles from the first deliveries of the day. Flintoff and Giles are unable to make a breakthrough, while Bell comes in to the attack, having limited runs in a brief spell earlier in the innings. Harmison’s pace keeps the batsmen on the back foot, as they add only 20 runs in the first hour, but remain not out. Clarke reaches his 50, as the two bring the deficit to under 10. A Katich single wipes out England’s lead, ensuring they’ll bat a second time. In the 95th over, though, Hoggard finally strikes, getting Clarke to edge behind to Geraint Jones. Gilchrist adds a pair of boundaries in the final over before, as Australia are 270/5.

Afternoon

Gilchrist continues his aggressive start, quickly getting to double digits, before Hoggard gets the keeper lbw. Just when Australia thought they were getting momentum, England seem to still have the upper hand. Katich gets a half-century with a four to fine leg, quickly followed by a Warne boundary. It can be argued that England continue to stretch the rules with substitute fielders, but none of the Aussies are complaining, at least in the manner that Ponting did the day before. Warne gets a trio of fours off Flintoff to bring up the 300, while Katich reaches 59 before departing lbw. A couple fielding errors from Jones prevents England from getting more wickets in the next two overs, allowing Australia to get their lead to 50. Warne gets several sixes off Giles before being stumped, but Lee and Kasprowicz take Australia to a 100-run lead. Kasprowicz departs shortly afterward, caught Jones bowled Harmison (exactly the same as the final wicket at Edgbaston), while Tait provides a brief cameo. Harmison bowls the debutante to end the innings right on the stroke of tea.

Australia finish the second innings 387 all out. England need 129 runs to win.

Evening

Unless England adopt an ultra-conservative approach, they can end the match in the final session of the day. The openers get to 32 in the first five overs, but Warne’s first ball of the innings fools Trescothick. Vaughan goes for an six-ball duck, and Strauss takes on most of the heavy lifting in his partnership with Bell. The opener brings up the 50, but edges to Clarke at slip, courtesy of more Warne magic. The first ball of the next over, Lee gets Bell, and England find themselves four down, still 70 away from victory. With Simon Jones still out injured, it means the hosts are in deep trouble should they end up needing to rely on their tailenders. Flintoff & Pietersen attempt to see England through, bringing the target under 50. They’re hoping to score most of their runs off the inexperienced Tait, and in doing so bring up the 100. But just as he did minutes earlier, Lee strikes with the first ball of an over, Pietersen gone for 23. His next over, the fast bowler crushes the stumps on Flintoff. Geraint Jones tries a hero shot off Warne that finds Kasprowicz, and England are seven down, still needing 13 to win, and now into their tail end. But Hoggard and Giles remain cool under pressure, patiently taking boundaries to bring them closer to a win. In the end, Giles has the honor of providing the winning runs, off his nemesis Warne. England take a critical series lead, while Australia need to win at the Oval to simply draw the series and retain the urn. It’s going to be some finish to an already unforgettable summer.

England are 129/7 in the second innings when the match ends.

England win the fourth Test by 3 wickets. They lead the series 2-1.

This is the 17th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

Gilchrist gets a single off the first ball of the day, taking Australia to 100, though they have plenty of work left just to avoid the follow-on. The keeper quickly goes into attack mode, taking four boundaries off one Hoggard over, while Katich gets several himself off Flintoff. When Simon Jones is brought on for a spell, he wastes no time, taking the wickets of Katich & Warne in successive balls. Lee competently defends the hat-trick ball, and Gilchrist looks set to resume his effective start. However, Flintoff finds an edge, leading to a spectacular diving catch from Strauss, leaving Australia eight down, still more than 100 from the target to avoid batting again. The next over, Simon Jones bowls Kasprowicz, then gets his five-for when Lee sends one to Bell at third man. The last-wicket partnership does put together several boundaries, but being 259 behind, England do enforce the follow-on.

Australia finish the first innings 218 all out.

It’s the first time in 190 Tests that Australia have followed on, a significant statistic in cricket history. Langer & Hayden only get four overs before the lunch break, but get to 14 without loss.

Afternoon

Fans are still amazed at the fact that England have managed to make Australia follow on, as opposed to Zimbabwe & Bangladesh. However, the visitors have an opportunity to show exactly why they’ve been the dominant force in Test cricket for a generation. The openers get into the 20s without much trouble, until Hayden finds Giles at gully, Flintoff working his magic again. Ponting starts extremely patiently, knowing another innings like his 2nd at Old Trafford is required at this point. Langer gets a reprieve when dropped by Strauss, who bobbles what would’ve been a much simpler catch compared to what he managed in the morning. Giles, who didn’t bowl at all in the first innings, limits the runs without finding a breakthrough to start, while Australia get to 100. Both batsmen then adopt a patient approach, Langer closing in on his 50, and reaching it in the last over before tea. Australia get to 115/1 at the interval.

Evening

Langer adds one more boundary, reaching 61, before Giles gets him after a two-and-a-half-hour spell at the crease. Martyn & Ponting rebuild the innings, taking Australia to 150. The captain gets to 48, continuing his attempt to copy his superb innings in Manchester. However, he’s run out trying to complete a single, by 12th man Gary Pratt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeTwBM6HEEM

Ponting feels that England have been stretching the rules with extra fielders, against the spirit of the game, although Pratt is in for a legitimately injured Simon Jones. In another defining moment of the series, Ponting expresses his displeasure to coach Duncan Fletcher with a few choice words. But the call stands; the captain is out, and Martyn edges behind to Geraint Jones shortly afterward, leaving Australia four down. Katich and Clarke slowly repair the innings, with a combination of patient singles and boundaries. The two take Australia past 200, still trailing England, but confident that should the hosts win, they’ll have to bat a second time to do so. Flintoff & Giles look for a wicket late in the day without success, as Australia look to have some momentum going into the fourth day.

After Day 3, Australia are 222/4 in the second innings. England lead by 37 runs.

This is the 16th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

Morning

Lee & Warne open the bowling for Day 2, and it’s not long before Lee strikes, finding Pietersen’s edge to put England five down. Flintoff continues to play confidently, getting boundaries off Warne’s spin and then off Kasprowicz, leading to England’s 300. The all-rounder brings up his 50 with a magnificent six off Warne, while Geraint Jones plays conservatively, preparing for a long spell at the crease. Flintoff continues his string of boundaries, off Lee and Tait, as Australia look for an answer. The man nicknamed “Freddie” gets to 73 by the end of the first session, with England 344/5 at lunch.

Afternoon

Jones gets eight runs off the first over of the new session, but Flintoff puts together another string of boundaries in one Kasprowicz over to move into the 90s. He gets to 99, with England reaching 400. He doesn’t wait long for his first Ashes century, a single down the leg side giving Flintoff that coveted 100. Tait finally gets Freddie lbw, but Jones continues to play impressive shots, having reached his 50. The England keeper gets to 85 before Kasprowicz bowls and catches him, with Warne getting Giles lbw the very next over. England’s tail end struggles against an Australian attack that’s found new life, Harmison gone for 2. Simon Jones puts on a brave appearance at bat, while Hoggard also gets to double digits before poking behind to Gilchrist for the final wicket. The umpires take the tea break with the end of the innings.

England finish the first innings 477 all out.

Evening

After a couple boundaries, Hayden & Langer settle for consecutive maiden overs to start. This cautious approach doesn’t pay off in the 10th over, with Hoggard getting Hayden lbw, then Ponting out the next over in the same fashion to Simon Jones. In the 12th, Martyn goes lbw to Hoggard. Australia relied on its tailenders to avoid a follow-on at Old Trafford, and it appears that may be required in Nottingham, with the visitors 22/3. Langer and Clarke restore some order to the innings, the opener taking charge of the partnership. Langer’s resistance takes him to 27, before Hoggard baits him into popping up to Bell. Katich and Clarke slowly repair the momentum from the previous partnership, not forcing boundaries but playing them if the chance presented itself. They’re on the verge of taking Australia to 100, but Harmison gets in on the lbw fun, sending Clarke back to the dressing room. That turns out to be the final ball of the day, with England firmly in control.

After Day 2, Australia are 99/5 in the first innings. England lead by 378 runs.

This is the 15th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

England still maintain an optimistic approach, despite the lost chance in Manchester. Their lineup remains unchanged, while Australia name two; McGrath is out injured, while Gillespie is dropped due to poor form. Kasprowicz is back in the squad, and Shaun Tait makes his Test debut.

England win the toss and choose to bat.

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, Michael Kasprowicz, Shaun Tait

Morning

Lee & Kasprowicz open the bowling, unable to find any early breakthrough. Trescothick & Strauss provide a semi-consistent string of boundaries. Tait is introduced in the 11th over, with a sling action that limits England to two runs in the over. But Trescothick soon takes consecutive boundaries off the fast bowler. Another boundary the next over brings up England’s 50. Tait averages 90 mph with his deliveries, but is unable to get a wicket early. Warne takes the 18th over, with equal struggles as the fast bowlers, Trescothick taking him for six. The openers bring up 100, Trescothick his 50, but Strauss’ sweep attempt from Warne ends up in the hands of Hayden for the first wicket. Vaughan provides additional boudaries, as England get to lunch 129/1.

Afternoon

Unfortunately for the fans, rain delays the start of the post-lunch session. When play resumes a little after 2:00 local time, Vaughan & Trescothick add five runs to the total. However, they only get three overs in before rain forces another delay. After deliberation, umpires Steve Bucknor & Aleem Dar decide this will be the break for tea. England are 134/1, with Tait still bowling the 31st over.

Evening

When the 31st over resumes, Tait strikes with his first Test wicket, bowling Trescothick on 65. Several overs later, he baits Bell in edging behind to Gilchrist. Pietersen helps restore some order with Vaughan, taking England to 150. Lee & Kasprowicz endure the same struggles they faced in the morning. Looking for a change in momentum, Ponting puts himself in the bowling attack; he very nearly traps England in a run out his first over, but the throw back to the stumps is off target. Vaughan gets his 50 as England post 200, while Ponting does well to limit the runs without getting wickets. But it’s only a matter of time before the captain does get a wicket, Vaughan edging behind to Gilchrist; Ponting’s first Test wicket in six years. Flintoff establishes his presence at bat with Pietersen, but the rain is back, suspending play for the rest of the day.

After Day 1, England are 229/4 in the first innings.

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.