2005 Ashes: The rebirth of English Cricket

2005 Ashes: The rebirth of English Cricket: The pall of dusk and despair had gloomed hefty waves of melancholy beneath the hearts and souls of the English people, before the advent of the 2005 Ashes series. And why it wouldn’t? The godfathers and inventors of the very sport were powerless to bring back the Urn to their beloved nation against their arch rivals Australia, with whom they savored battle of centuries on the 22 yards. At that time, the Big Ben clock tower of London had eclipsed for 16 long years and for eight successive series in Ashes cricket before the Englishmen had finally tasted the aroma of glory and triumph in an Ashes series.

Analysis of both sides:

Coming into the English summer of July in 2005, the no.1 ranked Australian side with bunch of senior pros like Warne, McGrath, Ponting, Hayden, Langer, Lee, Gilchrist, Martyn and youngsters like Clarke, Katich and Tait had a possession of one of the greatest test compositions in the history of the game. On the other hand, the English team was the second ranked side and was undefeated in the last six successive test series.

Memories of everlasting joyfulness and delight:

Now, I will rewind you back in the time-wheel to the English summer of 2005 which enthralled and glittered the nerves of the fans like never seen before. It was like that carnival of a series which stitched itself on the map of cricket in golden letters in what is epitomized as the series of the millennium. So, now tie up your seat belts to revisit the echoes of a summer which will never be forgotten. We will unfold the different chapters of the sports series of the decade.

First test match at Lords, London-

Chapter-1:

The Mecca of cricket was all set for the first hammering of the nail. On a cloudy day, Ricky Ponting had won the toss and chose to bat. But rather, it was the second ball of the match in which the brutal bouncer from Steve Harmison shuddered Langer’s elbow and then one of his bouncers unruffled Ponting which drew the blood on his right cheek. These events rampaged a blazing tone for the series. Harmison transpired to a Fifer and sent the Australian team packing at 190 runs. But then, the wrath of Australians left the home side reeling at 21-5. Meanwhile, McGrath touched the silver line of 500 test wickets. On back of a gritty knock of 57 runs by the debutant young bloke Kevin Pietersen, England posted 155 runs in the first innings.

Also Read – The Ashes 2015: SWOT Analysis of Australia Team

Chapter-2:

In the second innings, the Australians amassed a colossal total of 384 runs and thereby set an imposing target of 420 runs to win which appeared an improbable target, looking at the firepower of the Australian bowling attack. Expectedly, the English side bundled out for 180 runs and Australia won the match by 239 runs. Pietersen was the only positive for England with twin half-centuries in the match. McGrath was adjudged the man-of-the-match for his figures of 82/9 in the match.

Brief scores: 1st innings: Aus-190 (Langer40, Harmison5/43) Eng-155 (Pietersen 57, McGrath 5/53)

2nd innings: Aus-384 (Clarke 91, Harmison 3/54), Eng-180 (Pietersen 64*, McGrath 4/29)