It has been hailed by many as the greatest Test series ever. We look back at every match of the the 2005 Ashes.
A look back at every match of the greatest series ever
It has been hailed by many as the greatest Test series ever played as England won back the Ashes for the first time in 18 years. We look back at every match of the 2005 series.
First Test, Lord's
England began their bid to win the Ashes for the first time in 18 years bristling with confidence after a prolonged run of form and landing the opening blows in the phoney war.
Series wins over New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa instilled belief and the excitement was cranked up by a handful of impressive limited-overs performances against the Aussies, who in turn suffered a shock loss to Bangladesh.
The inclusion of Kevin Pietersen in the England side for the first Ashes Test also added to the anticipation with the cocksure South African-born batsman having brashly announced his arrival on the international scene in one-day cricket.
England carried the momentum out onto the field and by mid-afternoon on day one Australia had been bowled out for just 190 after an inspirational performance by paceman Steve Harmison.
The Durham quickie ruffled the Australians with his speed and bounce and delivered a nasty blow to the side of captain Ricky Ponting's face on his way to figures of five for 43. Four of his wickets came in a ferocious 14-ball spell.
Supporters dared to dream, but by the close of play it seemed home hopes had again been shattered as, not for the first time, Glenn McGrath rose to the occasion.
England crashed to 92 for seven and were polished off for 155 the following morning, McGrath claiming five for 53 and predicting his side could go on to win the series 5-0. England's only comfort came in a battling 57 from Pietersen which proved he had the required temperament.
Pietersen, however, did not distinguish himself in the field and, having dropped two catches on day one, spilled another as Australia set the hosts a world record target of 420 after 91 from Michael Clarke.
Clarke's reprieve by Pietersen, after offering a straightforward chance off Simon Jones, and his 155-run stand with Damien Martyn (65) ended any hopes of an England fightback before the end of the third day.
In all, seven catches were grassed by England and Simon Katich added 67 before a late flurry of wickets merely had the effect of giving Australia's bowlers more time to win the match.
Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss held up the tourists with an 80-run stand but the latter's dismissal to a fine caught and bowled by Brett Lee opened the door for Shane Warne.
The irrepressible Warne turned Ian Bell inside out before trapping him leg before and then quickly accounted for Trescothick and Andrew Flintoff.
Warne looked destined, finally, to get his name on the Lord's honours board for the first time in his final appearance at headquarters but despite continuing to bamboozle, he fell short.
He claimed just one more wicket, that of Harmison, while McGrath finished with another four for 29 to wrap up a convincing win still inside four days, despite the loss of two sessions to rain.
Pietersen enhanced his burgeoning reputation with another half-century (64 not out) but the cause was lost and the series already looked to be following an all-too-familiar pattern.
Second Test, Edgbaston
The Ashes suddenly came alive as England, inspired by the brilliant Flintoff, fought back to level the series in the most dramatic and nailbiting of circumstances.
Many thought
