Cricket's Gold - The greatest Test Series of all time - Part 1 - Opinion
The countdown had begun days before the first ball was bowled on the hallow turf of Lord's. It was the Ashes of 2005 and Michael Vaughan’s impressive England team was pitted up against the mighty Australians under Ricky Ponting. Australia, prior to this
series, were undisputed kings of the Ashes and had won an astonishing 8 straight Ashes since 1989. They came into this series on the back of some impressive performances and were aiming to turn the tables on the English once again. Prior to this series, winning
the Ashes for the Poms was similar to expecting a Grey Hound to win the London Derby. It had always been done and dusted for English, who could only dream about feeling the run with their sweaty palms. The penny eventually dropped in 2005, as the greatest
series in Test match history was played under British sunshine.
The hype that was generated in the lead up to the tournament was immense, and understandably so. Numerous British tabloids went on and on about how the present English line up in 2005 was fancied to retain the urn, after it deserted them in 1989. England’s
run up to the Ashes was also extremely impressive. They had beaten a powerful South African side in an away series and beat some of the best test teams in the world both home and away. Their win/loss ratio, made them favourites in the eyes of their passionate
fans. A side that boasted the batting prowess of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Matthew-Hoggard-c1926, the Ambrose like approach of Steve Harmison, and the flare of Andrew Flintoff, were making headlines in England, in times when the gentleman’s
game was baying for support, as the game of football became the sport that the English youth was inclined to play, watch and follow. Yet Vaughan’s astute captaincy, and memorable stint with England turned his team’s fortunes around. Players such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Steve-Harmison-c2576
and Andrew Flintoff were vying for places with David Beckham and Wayne Rooney at the end of the 2005 series.
Australia on the other hand, were a confident bunch of star studded performers, who were ready to add yet another Ashes series victory to their tally of eight. The likes of Glenn Mcgrath, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 and the
all important http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shane-Keith-Warne-c89672, were considered a handful of supernatural beings that any captain would be delighted to deploy with great effect. In terms of conventional strength, Australia had the upper hand, yet their poor performances in the NatWest Series
of 2005 with losses to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 knew what was coming at them when the first Test took place at Lords.
Buoyed English fans had to make way for despair as a fine spell of seam bowling from Glenn Mcgrath sealed the deal for his side. England failed to clear the 200 mark in either innings of the all important inaugural Test which resulted in a resounding 239-run
victory for the Aussies. Vague flashbacks of previous Ashes horrors came to the fore for the English. The only ray of hope came in the form of debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 who notched up consecutive fifties. England was distraught and headed to Edgbaston with
a heavy heart.
Something divinely ordained came in the lead up to the all important second Test. Veteran http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Glenn-Donald-McGrath-c60183 who was the protagonist of the Lord's debacle, was ruled out in a practice session as he managed to tread onto a cricket ball and twisted his ankle in
the process. It proved to be a game changer for England, as they managed to pile up a formidable 407 runs in the first innings of the second Test courtesy some fine batting from Marcus Trescothick. This game however, would most probably be remembered for Shane
Warne’s magnificent bowling spells in both innings. Warney went onto to take four crucial wickets in England’s first innings. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flintoff-c44360’s resurgence as the best all rounder in the game during that period of time, derailed the Australian response as the
tourists were bundled out for just 308. Shane Warne was at it again as he ripped through England by picking up six wickets in the second innings which included an unplayable delivery to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964. With a slender lead of 281 runs to defend, the Australians
were outright favourites.
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