Over the years, the Ashes has produced many memorable moments and contests for international cricket. The oldest and most well-known series in the entire game is the Ashes series. So, it would not be wrong also to say that the rivalry between Australia and England is the most fierce in the game.
Since the first Ashes Test way back in 1882, some absolute classics have been witnessed on the cricket field between Australia and England. The two long-standing rivals have faced off in 356 Test matches to date. Australia has won 150 Tests to England’s 110, displaying their huge advantage thus far. If one were to look at series victories, Australia has won 34 series to England’s 32.
Here are five of the best Ashes Tests ever played as Australia and England prepare for another Ashes series.
5. Edgbaston Test, 1981
That 1981 Ashes Test at Edgbaston turned out to be one of those miracle victories for England, who won from behind. First up, batting, England scored a modest 189 runs. Terry Alderman starred with the ball for Australia, returning figures of 5 for just 42 runs.
Australia scored 258 runs in response, taking a comfortable 69-run advantage. John Emburey took four wickets for England, while Chris Old claimed three. When England started their second innings, they were up against it. With a 69-run deficit, the home team had to perform spectacularly to make a significant score. Once again, their batting fell short as they finished with 219 runs.
The renowned all-rounder Ian Botham destroyed Australia with figures of 5/1 in 28 balls. Botham’s heroics proved too much for the Kim Hughes-led team, as England defeated Australia for 121 runs to win by an incredible 29 runs.
4. The Oval, 2005
One of the most famous draw Tests in the Ashes Series took place in 2005 at The Oval. This was the drawn Test that confirmed the Ashes should finally go back to England, for the first time since 1987. Kevin Pietersen was the architect of the series-winning drawn Test.
A century from Andrew Strauss and Andrew Flintoff’s half-century ensured the hosts batted 373 runs in the first innings. In reply, Australia scored 367 runs with Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden smashing centuries.
Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were looking well, but after falling behind at 126 for 5, England found themselves in a difficult situation in the second innings.
However, Pietersen played one of the great knocks in the history of the Ashes as he smashed 158 with the help of 15 fours and 7 sixes to power England to 335 to draw the game for his side. Set a target of 342 runs, Australia faced just four balls before bad light forced the game to end in a draw.
3. Headingley Test, 2019
The current captain of England, Ben Stokes, has played one of the best Test knocks of all time during the 2019 Headingley Ashes Series to fire his team to a thrilling win. England was trailing 1-0 in the series and appeared certain to lose the third Test as well, but Stokes’s heroics enabled the hosts to even the score at one. Before bowling England out for 67, Australia was all out for just 179.
The visitors, in the second innings, scored 246 runs, which put them in command. Chasing a record 359, England still needed 73 runs with only the last wicket remaining.
He was dropped by Marcus Harris with only 17 runs to get. And when they needed only 2, Nathan Lyon missed an easy chance to run Leach out. On the very next delivery, Lyon trapped Stokes in front of the stumps but the umpire judged him not out.
The following over was bowled by Pat Cummins, Leach took a single to give Stokes the strike. The stadium erupted into wild joy when Stokes smashed a four through covers.
2. MCG Test, 1982/83
An exciting Ashes Series Test at the MCG in 1982–1983 was won by England by a mere 3-run margin. England recovered from a poor start with the bat, posting 284, thanks to fifties from Chris Tavare and Allan Lamb. In response, Australia scored 287 with Kim Hughes, David Hookes, and Rod Marsh all scoring fifties.
It was Graeme Fowler’s 67 at the top of the order in the second innings that laid the foundation for England’s total of 294 runs. Australia, set to chase 292 runs, was reeling at 71 for 3 before Hughes and David Hookes shared 100 runs for the fourth wicket to revive their team’s hopes.
With 74 runs still to be scored, an easy victory for England was assured. However, they were much alarmed by Allan Border and Jeff Thomson. When Australia needed just 4 runs to win the match; Ian Botham removed Thomson after the two of them put up 70 runs for the final wicket.
1. Edgbaston, 2005
The 2005 Ashes Series Test at Edgbaston is probably the greatest Ashes Test ever played. England was on the back foot having lost the first Test, and Australia were on course for another series win to further their dominance over their foes. England got a massive fillip right before the game when their nemesis Glenn McGrath withdrew from the Test at the last minute.
Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz took Australia to within three runs of the greatest comebacks in Tests, scaring England massively. Before they could get those 3 runs, Steve Harmison’s short ball was edged behind the stumps by Kasprowicz.
Cricket’s Greatest Rivalries: From India vs Pakistan To Australia vs England
