The 2005 Ashes

This page is about the men's cricket contest. See here for more information on the Women's Ashes series contested the same year.

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The 2005 Ashes was that year's edition of the long-standing and storied cricket rivalry between England and Australia. Starting on 21 July 2005, England and Australia played five Tests, with the Ashes held by Australia as the most recent victors. The final result was a 2-1 series win for England, who succeeded (for the first time since 1987) in their biennial attempt to regain the urn.

Related Topics:
Cricket - England - Australia - 21 July - 2005 - Tests - The Ashes - 1987

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This series was the most eagerly-anticipated Ashes contest for over a decade. Since 1989, when Australia started their current winning Ashes streak, the contests have been mismatches: Australia were the pre-eminent side in the world, whilst England had dropped from being top-rated in 1981 to 6th for much of the 90s. They reached a low point in 1999 with a series loss to New Zealand leaving them bottom of the Wisden rankings. However, since the previous series in 2002-03, England had drastically improved. Australia was still top-ranked, but England had moved up to second, having won 14 and drawn 3 of their 18 previous test matches since March 2004. Before the first test Australia were perhaps rather braggardly indicating that a 5-0 win in the series was a serious possibility.

Related Topics:
Australia - England - 1999 - New Zealand - Wisden - 2002 - 03 - 2004

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By common consent, the series has lived up to the hype: it is already considered a classic, with three of the five matches decided by razor-thin margins under very tense circumstances.

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England won the series 2-1, with the other two tests drawn. Australia won the first Test comfortably, but the Second Test saw England level the series with a two run victory that was the narrowest win in Ashes history. The third Test ended in a draw (with England one wicket away from a win), and England narrowly won the fourth Test in Nottingham by three wickets after England enforced the follow on after a poor first innings by Australia.

Related Topics:
England - Australia - Nottingham - Follow on

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The fifth and final Test started on 8 September at the Oval in London. It entered its final day evenly balanced with all results still possible and the destination of the urn still in doubt. Australia needed to win to force a 2-2 series draw and retain the Ashes; any other result would give them to England, ending 16 years and eight series of Australian dominance. After a day of fluctuating fortunes, England established an unbeatable lead, and the resulting draw ensured the Ashes were returned to England.

Related Topics:
8 September - The Oval - London

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