How KP, Freddie and bad weather took England over the line
Wednesday 5 August 2015 18:08, UK
This time next week – or possibly even sooner if this mad series is anything to go by – England could be celebrating regaining the Ashes.
A victory in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge would secure Alastair Cook’s boys the urn, something that has become a quite a habit on home turf.
Here are the moments England won – or retained – the tiny trophy in 2005, 2009 and 2013, as the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and inclement weather played starring roles…
2005
The task was simple on paper for England as they headed to The Oval for the final Test of the 2005 Ashes: win or draw the game and they would regain the urn for the first time in 18 years, as they held a 2-1 lead. A London loss looked at least possible, however, when at lunch on day five, Michael Vaughan’s men led by a mere 133 runs in their second innings with just five wickets intact. Step forward KP, the King of Spain and bad light.
Pietersen went on to post his maiden Test century – the first of 23 he managed in a career he still feels should be on-going – clubbing 15 fours and seven sixes en route to a majestic 158. With Giles chipping in with 59, the home side bumped up their score to 355, meaning Australia needed a nigh-on impossible 342 from 19 overs to square the series and retain the Ashes. They batted four balls.
After being offered the light, Baggy Greens openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer took it, with confirmation of England’s triumph coming just after 6.15pm when umpires Rudi Koertzen and Billy Bowden removed the bails. Jubilant scenes followed on a memorable Monday evening in the capital – and the celebrations lasted long into the night, as KP, Freddie, Hoggy and co’s bleary eyes testified during an open-top bus tour and reception at Downing Street the following day.
2009
Having been annihilated in Australia in 2006-07, England ensured they won back the Ashes at the first attempt and, like four years previously, it came down to a gripping finale at The Oval with the series this time poised at 1-1. Graeme Swann and Andrew Flintoff were England’s heroes but only after an inspired Stuart Broad and a debuting Jonathan Trott had played their part.
Broad ripped through the Baggy Greens in their first knock, seizing 5-37– including the scalps of Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke – as England dismissed their great rivals for a meagre 160. It was then over to Trott, who, having replaced the run-shy Ravi Bopara, showed nerves of his steel on his first foray into international, let alone Ashes, cricket, with a second-innings 119, a score that helped the hosts set Australia 546 to win.
Australia battled to 80 without loss by the close of day three and still had somewhat of a sniff while Hussey (121) and Ponting (66) had guided them to 217-2 the following afternoon, but when Flintoff ran out Ponting with a stunning throw at mid-off, England pounced. Clarke departed in similar style to his captain in the next over and Australia were eventually dismissed for 348, Alastair Cook catching centurion Hussey at short leg off Swann (4-120) to secure a 197-run win.
2013
Cook’s men headed to Old Trafford for the third Test two up, having overcome a dogged last-wicket partnership of 65 between Brad Haddin and James Pattinson to eke out a 14-run victory in the opener at Trent Bridge, and then won the second at Lord’s by 347 runs thanks to centuries from Ian Bell and Joe Root and Swann’s nine wickets. That meant anything other than defeat would see England retain the urn – and they did it with a nervy draw.
Australia chalked up 527-7 declared in their opening dig, with Michael Clarke’s 187 – so, you know, don’t write him off too soon in the current series – the standout innings. England were subsequently in a spot of bother at 110-4 but, mainly due to Pietersen’s patient 113, avoided the follow on, bowled out for 368 to trail by 159. That forced Australia to have another dart with the blade before declaring overnight following day four with a lead of 331.
Yet the Manchester weather would not be kind to Australia, with only 20.3 overs possible as England picked up the draw they needed. It was vital for the hosts that the heavens opened, though, as in that aforementioned 20.3 overs they lost Cook (0), Trott (11) and Pietersen (8) to spiral to 37-3. Not the greatest way for Cook’s boys to keep the urn, then, but the jubilant fans they mingled with after the game couldn't care a jot.
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