From 1877 until World War One
Between the World Wars
Post War to the WSC Revolution
The Professional Era to the New Millennium
The New Millennium and Beyond
Other Pages
Home Page
Article Archive
How the System Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Statistical Points of Interest
Current and Future Series Predictions
Links
Site Map
Contact Us
Get Free e-mail ratings updates
AUS win 5 - 0 AUS gains 26 points; ENG loses 26 points
Draw 2.5 - 2.5 ENG gains 12 points; AUS loses 12 points
ENG win 5 - 0 ENG gains 50 points; AUS loses 50 points
Lord's
21 - 24 July 2005
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first.� England made an early break though, dismissing Hayden (12) at 1 for 35.� However, after drinks, England firmly claimed the ascendancy by dismissing Ponting (9), Langer (40), Martyn (2) and Clarke (11) to have Australia in deep trouble at 5 for 97 at lunch.� Australia regrouped in the hour after lunch, losing only Gilchrist (26) to be 6 for 175 at the drinks break.� However, after Warne (28) was bowled off the next ball, Katich (27), Lee (3) and Gillespie (1) were dismissed in the space of 15 runs to see Australia all out for 190 runs and McGrath left stranded on ten runs.� Harmison was the best of the bowlers with 5 for 43 off 11.2 overs, his sixth five-wicket innings in Tests.� England then faced six overs before going to tea at no wicket for ten.� McGrath struck on the first ball after tea to dismiss Trescothick (4) and claim his 500th Test wicket.� McGrath then went on to claim five for two runs, with Strauss (2) caught, and then Vaughan (3), Bell (6) and Flintoff (0) were all bowled as England crumbled to 5 for 21 within the first hour of the session.� Lee then dismissed Geraint Jones (30) and Giles (11) as England ended the day in tatters at 7 for 92, still 98 runs in arrears.
Australia dismissed Hoggard (0) early on the second morning at 8 for 101 and then Pietersen (57) at 9 for 122.� However, the final pair added another 33 vital runs before Harmison (11) was caught and England was all out for 155 runs.� McGrath was the best of the bowlers with 5 for 53 off 18 overs, his 26th five-wicket innings in Tests.� Australia began adding to their 35 run first-innings lead, but lost Langer (6) in a run out before going to lunch at 1 for 47. England was unable to repeat their success of the previous day and only managed to dismiss Hayden (34) and Ponting (42) during the afternoon session. At tea, Australia was 3 for 140 with an overall lead of 175 runs. England again struggled through the first hour of the evening session, until Clarke (91) was bowled and Martyn (65) was trapped in front in successive overs with 255 runs on the board. England then went on dismiss Gilchrist (10) and Warne (2) in the final four overs of the day to have Australia in a precarious position at 7 for 279 with an overall lead of 314 runs and Katich (10*) the only recognised batsman at the crease with three days remaining.
England was set for quick wickets on the third morning and to then begin their run chase to prevent it getting out of reach. England ran out Lee (8) early on at 8 for 289. However, England then struggled to dismiss Gillespie, who combined with Katich to add 52 runs for the ninth wicket before Gillespie (13) was bowled. England then failed to take the final wicket and at lunch, Australia was now well placed at 9 for 372, with an overall lead of 407 runs, meaning England would already have to make the second largest run chase in history to win the match. England finally caught Katich (67) to have Australia all out for 384 runs, with McGrath (20) again left stranded. Harmison was the best of the bowlers with 3 for 54 off 27.4 overs. With half the match remaining and a required run rate of around two runs per over, England made a steady start to their runs chase for the 420 runs needed for victory. At tea, England was no wicket for 65 off 22 overs. However, in the evening session the wheels fell off. After Strauss (37), Trescothick (44), Bell (8), Vaughan (4) and Flintoff (3) were all dismissed in the space of 39 runs, England was 5 for 156 at stumps with no chance of avoiding a loss apart from constant rain for two days.
The fourth day began by answering England's prayers for rain with play was held up until well into the afternoon session. When play resumed, Australia took 61 balls to dismiss Geraint Jones (6), Giles (0), Hoggard (0), Harmison (0) and Simon Jones (0) to have England all out for 180 runs with Pietersen not out on 64. McGrath (4 for 29 off 17.1 overs) and Warne (4 for 64 off 20 overs) shared the bowling honours as Australia claimed victory by 239 runs.
Second Test
Edgebaston
04 - 07 August 2005
Australia won the toss and elected to bowl on a pitch, which the curator considered was four days under prepared dues to heavy rain late in the preparation period.� As it turned out, the pitch was like concrete and England made a fabulous start reaching 1 for 112 before Strauss (48) was bowled shortly before England went to lunch at 1 for 132 at 4.9 runs per over.� Australia struck back in the hour after lunch when they dismissed Trescothick (90), Bell (6) and Vaughan (24) in the space of 23 runs to have England 4 for 187.� However, England then lifted the scoring rate further in the hour before tea.� By tea, England was 4 for 289 having scored at 5.4 runs per over and looking toward 550 runs.� Australia then fought their way back into the match and dismissed Flintoff (68) straight after tea, followed by Geraint Jones (1), Giles (23), Pietersen (71), Harmison (17) and Hoggard (16) in the space of 117 runs to have England all out for 407 runs.� Warne was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 116 off 25.2 overs.� Australia then began to prepare their reply, but as the players returned after the innings break, the rain began and stumps were drawn.
England again made a good start to the second day, catching Hayden (0) in the second over.� Australia then regrouped and took the total to 88 before Ponting (61) was caught.� Then, in the over before lunch, Martyn (20) was run out and Australia was in trouble at 3 for 118.� The tourists fought back in the hour after lunch.� However, when England caught Clarke (40) against the run of play at 4 for 194, they then snared Katich (4) to have Australia tottering at 5 for 219 at tea.� England finally trapped Langer (82) in front at 6 for 262 and then Warne (8), Lee (6), Gillespie (7) and Kasprowicz (0) followed in the space of 35 runs to see Australia all out for 308 runs, with Gilchrist left stranded on 49 not out.� Flintoff (3 for 52 off 15 overs) and Giles (3 for 78 off 26 overs) shared the bowling honours.� England then began their reply and added 25 runs to their 99 run first innings lead, to finish the day on top, despite losing Strauss in the final over before stumps.
England had their best chance to put the Australians away on the third morning by occupying the crease and setting an impossibly large final innings target.� However, Australia once again showed the mental toughness that has seen them dominate world cricket.� While all the attention was on Warne, Lee chipped in with the wickets of Trescothick (21), Vaughan (1) and nightwatchman Hoggard (1) in eleven balls to have England in trouble at 4 for 31.� England then crumbled after Pietersen (20), Bell (21) and Geraint Jones (9) were dismissed to be 6 for 95 at lunch with a lead of only 194 runs.� However, England fought back during the afternoon session through Flintoff, who combined with Giles (8), Harmison (0) and Simon Jones (12*) to take the total to 182 runs before Flintoff (73) was bowled.� Warne was the pick of the bowlers with 6 for 46 off 23.1 overs, his 30th Test five-wicket innings.� An early tea was taken between innings and Australia then began the task of making 282 runs for victory.� After a comfortable start, Australia lost Langer (28) and Ponting (0) in the space of four balls to be 2 for 48.� England then began turning the screws by dismissing Hayden (31), Martyn (28), Katich (16), Gilchrist (1) and Gillespie (0) to have Australia 7 for 137, still 145 runs short of the target.� Australia then consolidated and added another 38 runs before Clarke (30) was bowled in the final over when the score was 8 for 175.
The final morning dawned with an English victory seemingly inevitable.� However, that same fighting spirit came out from the Australians for the second consecutive morning and they added another 45 runs before Warne (42) overbalanced and trod on his stumps.� Lee (43*) then combined with Kasprowicz to get within only three runs of victory before Kasprowicz (20) was caught behind with Australia all out for 279 runs.� �Flintoff was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 79 off 22 overs in England's two run victory.
Third Test
Old Trafford
11 - 15 August 2005
England won the toss and elected to bat first.� Australia bowled Strauss (6) and then began dropping what would end up being seven catches for the day, giving the English batsmen life after life after life.� The net result was that by lunch, England was 1 for 93.� England continued to pile on the runs after lunch, despite Warne dismissing Trescothick (63) at 2 for 163 and claiming his 600th Test wicket.� By tea, England was gaining a good measure of control of the match with the score 2 for 195.� Australia was unable to take a wicket in the hour after tea while Vaughan posted his 15th Test century.� Eventually, Australia caught Vaughan (166), Pietersen (21) and bowled Hoggard off the last ball of the day to see England firmly in control at 5 for 341.
Australia needed quick wickets on the second morning to have any chance of getting back into the match.� They managed to catch Bell (59) early on at 6 for 346.� However, England then added another 87 runs before the dismissal of Flintoff (46) triggered a collapse, with Geraint Jones (42), Giles (0) and Simon Jones (0) all out in the space of eleven runs to see England all out for 444 runs.� Lee (4 for 100 off 27 overs) and Warne (4 for 99 off 33.2 overs) were the best of the bowlers.� Australia then began their reply and added 58 runs before Langer (31) was caught.� By tea, Australia had made the beginnings of a good reply with 1 for 73.� However, the ball after tea saw Ponting (7) caught and then Hayden (34) followed four overs later for Australia to be 3 for 82.� England continued to pile on the pressure, using specific plans for each batsman, and Katich (17), Martyn (20), Gilchrist (30) and Clarke (7) all returned to the pavilion for Australia to be 7 for 210 at stumps, still 35 runs short of the follow on target.
Rain delayed play for most of the day and then only allowed 14 overs before forcing players from the field for the rest of the day.� During those overs, Australia added a further 50 runs to take the score to 7 for 264.�
Australia's resistance lasted most of the fourth morning session.� England eventually dismissed Warne (90), Lee (1) and Gillespie (26) to have Australia all out for 302 runs while McGrath was again left stranded on 1 run.� Simon Jones was the best of the bowlers with career best figures of 6 for 53 off 17.5 overs, his second five-wicket haul in Tests.� England began their reply and by lunch were no wicket for 26.� Australia needed to take quick wickets to limit their final innings run chase, but was only able to dismiss Trescothick (41) and Vaughan (14) during the afternoon session as England motored on to be 2 for 128 at tea.� Australia then struggled for another hour without taking a wicket before England went on a quick chase for runs, losing Strauss (106), Pietersen (0), Flintoff (4) and Bell (65) in the space of 40 runs and then declaring at 6 for 280.� McGrath was the best of the bowlers with 5 for 115 off 20.5 overs, his 28th five-wicket haul in Tests.� Australia was then left with an unlikely target of 423 runs off around 108 overs to win the match.� At stumps, Australia was no wicket for 24.
England struck early on the final morning, catching Langer (14) behind at 1 for 25.� Australia then consolidated and took the total to 96 before Hayden (36) was bowled.� By lunch, Australia was 2 for 121.� England made better progress during the afternoon session, dismissing Martyn (19), Katich (12) and Gilchrist (4) to have Australia 5 for 216 at tea.� England continued to pile on the pressure during the final session and bowled Clarke (39), trapped Gillespie (0) and caught Warne (34) to have Australia 8 for 340 with Ponting still at the crease, having posted his 23rd Test century.� However, Ponting (156) then fell at 9 for 354 leaving Lee (18*) and McGrath (5*) to bat out the final 24 balls to secure a draw, when the score was 9 for 371.� Flintoff was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 71 off 25 overs.
Fourth Test
Trent Bridge
25 - 28 August 2005
England won the toss and elected to bat first.� The decision proved fruitful, with the home side reaching 105 runs before Strauss (35) was caught.� By lunch, England was well placed at 1 for 129.� Rain began over lunch and delayed the restart by an hour before allowing three overs before forcing players off the field again.� An early tea was taken with the score 1 for 134.� When play resumed, Tait took his first Test wicket, Trescothick (65) and then Bell (3) followed nine runs later for England to be 3 for 146. England then consolidated and took the total to 213 runs before Vaughan (58) was caught.� By stumps, England had a strong platform with the score 4 for 229.�
Australia needed to make a number of inroads to pull themselves back into the game on the second morning.� They managed to catch Pietersen (45) in the fifth over, but were unable to keep the momentum as England settled and took the score to 5 for 344 at lunch.� However, a session late, Australia dismissed Flintoff (102), Geraint Jones (85), Giles (15), Harmison (2) and Hoggard (10) in the space of 55 runs to have England all out for 477 runs at tea.� Warne was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 102 off 29.1 overs.� Australia began their reply disastrously, losing Hayden (7), Ponting (1) and Martyn (1) in the space of two runs to be 3 for 22.� After a period of consolidation, England dismissed Langer (27) and Clarke (36) to have Australia 5 for 99 at stumps, still 179 runs short of the follow on target.�
On the third morning, England managed what Australia did not on the previous morning.� England dismissed Katich (45), Warne (0), Gilchrist (27), Kasprowicz (5) and Lee (47) to have Australia all out for 218 runs.� Simon Jones was the best of the bowlers with 5 for 44 off 14.1 overs.� With a lead of 259 runs, England enforced the follow on ? a fate that no nation had inflicted on Australia since 1987.� By lunch, Australia was no wicket for 14.� England had Hayden (26) caught at 1 for 50, but that was their only wicket of the afternoon session as Australia went to tea at 1 for 115.� Soon after tea, England caught Langer (61) at 2 for 129.� Later Ponting (48) was run out and Martyn (13) was caught and Australia was in very great trouble at 4 for 161.� However, by stumps, Australia had recovered slightly to be 4 for 222, still 37 runs in arrears.�
Australia took the lead on the fourth morning before Clarke (56) was caught.� At lunch, Australia was 5 for 270 with a lead of 11 runs.� England dismissed Gilchrist (11) soon after play resumed at 6 for 277 before Australia crept slowly along, slowly accumulating a small lead.� England dismissed Katich (59) at 7 for 314 and then Warne (45), Kasprowicz (19) and Tait (4) were dismissed in the space of 45 runs leaving Lee not out on 26 in an innings total of 387 runs.� Harmison was the most successful bowler with 3 for 93 off 30 overs.� Tea was taken and England began their chase for the 129 runs needed for victory.� England made a good start, reaching 32 runs before Trescothick (27) and Vaughan (0) fell in the space of four runs.� However, when Australia dismissed Strauss (23) and Bell (3) to have England 4 for 57, the wobbles had set in.� England managed to take the total to 103 before Pietersen (23) was caught, Flintoff (26) was bowled eight runs later and Geraint Jones (3) was caught a further four runs on.� England was then 7 for 116, needing only 13 more runs while Australia was on the rampage.� However, England prevailed, with Giles (7*) hitting the winning runs with Hoggard (8*) the other not out batsmen.� Warne was again the best of the bowlers with 4 for 31 off 13.5 overs.
Fifth Test
The Oval
08 - 12 September 2005
England won the toss and elected to bat first.� England made a very strong start, adding 71 runs in the first hour without offering a chance.� However, Warne then entered the fray and dismissed Trescothick (43), Vaughan (11) and Bell (0) in 15 minute intervals and by lunch, Australia was in the stronger position with England 3 for 115.� Waqrne then dismissed Pietersen straight after lunch at 4 for 131 before Strauss and Flintoff combined to pull England back from the brink.� By tea, England was better placed at 4 for 213.� Strauss poswted his seventh Test century after tea and England took the total to 274 runs before Flintoff (72) was caught, followed by Collingwood (7) and Strauss (129) and by stumps, the match was evenly poised with England at 7 for 319.
Australia dismissed Jones (25) early on the second morning at 3 for 325, but then failed to quickly finish off the remaining tailenders.� Eventually, Australia dismissed Hoggard (2) and Giles (32) and England had reached 373 runs.� Warne was the best of the bowlers with 6 for 122 off 37.3 overs, his 30th five-wicket haul in Tests.� Australia faced seven overs before going to lunch at no wicket for 19.� England was unable to make any breakthroughs during the afternoon session as Australia took the total to 112 at tea.� When the players returned the umpires offered light to the Australians who accepted, despite needing to win the game to hold on to the Ashes.� No further play occurred before stumps.
Play on the third morning was delayed half an hour due to rain.� When play began Australia faced seven overs before rain interrupted play.� When play resumed, Australia faced another six overs before going to lunch at no wicket for 157.� Langer posted his 22nd Test century and passed 7,000 runs before chopping the ball onto his stumps for 105 runs.� The rain then interfered until tea was taken with the score 1 for 185.� Play began as scheduled after tea, but rain again interrupted proceedings throughout the evening session.� When Australia again accepted bad light, Hayden had posted his 21st Test century while Ponting (35) had been caught and Australia was 2 for 277.
The fourth day dawned dark and cloudy, ideal bowling conditions for England and ideal batting conditions for England, as they would take any offer of light to increase the prospect of a draw.� England used the conditions to their advantage, rolling the last eight Australian wickets for only 86 runs.� After Martyn (10), Hayden (138), Katich (1), Gilchrist (23), Clarke (25), Warne (0), McGrath (0) and Lee (6) were dismissed, Australia was remarkably all out for 367 runs, giving England a six run first innings lead.� Flintoff was the best of the bowlers with 5 for 78 off 34 overs, his second five-wicket haul in Tests.� England lost Strauss (1) early, but then light was offered after five overs and accepted.� A total of only eight more overs were bowled on the fourth day, with England happily ending at 1 for 34 and an overall lead of 40 runs and both hands reaching toward the Ashes urn.
Australia needed quick wickets on the final morning to have any chance at all.� After a strong first half-hour by England, Australia dismissed Vaughan (45), Bell (0), Trescothick (33) and Flintoff (8) to have England in some trouble at 5 for 127 at lunch.� However, the Australians plans began to unravel after they dropped Pietersen on 0, 15 and 60 as he powered toward his maiden Test century.� Despite Collingwood (10) and Jones (1) being dismissed, England batted through to tea to be 7 for 221 as time ran out for the Australians.� With every over being bowled a priceless commodity, Australia took too long to dismiss Pietersen (158), Giles (59) and Harmison (0) to have England all out for 335 and an overall lead of 341 runs.� Warne was the best of the bowlers with 6 for 124, his 31st five-wicket haul in Tests.� Australia had left themselves only 17 overs to make the 342 runs required and went through the motions for five minutes before the match was declared a draw and England had finally regained the Ashes after 16 years.
