The Ashes are on again and, although the Aussies were off to a slow start in the first test, it looks like we’ve surely found our stride in the second. So we thought we’d take a walk down memory lane and remember some of the moments that have helped to make the Ashes series the institution it is today. Obviously a list like this is pretty subjective, but here they are – our Top Ten Ashes Moments.
10. Chris Rogers and Steve Smith Centuries
Yes, this just happened. The last time England only took so few wickets in a full day of an Ashes test was way back in 1993. And having our hats handed to us at Cardiff made the first day of play at Lords all the sweeter. The combined effort of 259 by Rogers and Smith led us to finish with a tidy 337-1 on the first day of the second test and, by bringing us back on track, reignited in the heart of every cricket-loving Australian that burning desire to retain the Ashes.
9. Sir Donald Bradman’s last innings
When The Don walked out to bat that day in 1948, he didn’t know he only needed four runs to bring his batting average up to 100. He received a standing ovation when he approached the block for what would be his last innings.
As luck would have it the great man was bowled for a duck that day and left the field to a dumb struck crowd. The cricket fans soon found their voices though and when the match was over, sang For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow in Bradman’s honour.
8. Bob Massie’s test debut
In 1972 Bob Massie made a test debut that would go down in history as one of the all-time best. Massie wasn’t selected for the first test but came out with guns blazing in the second to take 8 for 84 and 8 for 83 at Lords. Bob was a solid swing bowler but unfortunately suffered health problems in 1973 which led to a fairly short international career.
7. Steve Waugh’s 2003 century
The pressure was on for Waugh at the final 2003 test at the SCG, if he didn’t pull out something pretty special he might not get the chance again. But what followed would remind all the doubters why this enduring sport still captivates millions. With the determination of a bull elephant, Waugh dug in and gave the world a show to remember.
6. Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball century
On the 16th of December 2006, Adam Gilchrist made an outstanding century that included twelve fours and four sixes – the second fastest in test history. By the time the series was over he had earned himself a century and two fifties and a grand total of 229 runs. Needless to say, this was instrumental in securing us the 5-0 whitewash some of us still savour today.
5. The Gatting Ball
Words cannot describe…
4. The whole 2005 series
Yes, this is the test we were made to relinquish the urn after 16 years of victory. So why is it in the Top Ten you ask? Well we’re all good sports here at ManSpace, and anyway, it was a bloody good series.
Before the first test, some commenters (including Glen McGrath) were heard to suggest that a 5-0 win in our favour was a very real possibility. Maybe we got too cocky or maybe they were simply the better side that year. Either way, with the narrowest win (two runs) ever in the second test and some of the tensest cricket in history, it was undeniably awesome.
3. Shane Warne’s Hat Trick
It’s probably a bit of an understatement to say that Warne must have felt pretty chuffed when he dispatched Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough and Devon Malcolm with successive balls at home at the MCG, the first such achievement by an Australian bowler in a test against England in 90 years.
Shane went on to take 27 wickets in that series, and did a damn fine job on the bat too!
2. Sir Donald Bradman’s 334
Back in 1930 the English were favourites to win. But when The Don scored a century before lunch on the first day of the third test, the tables were turned. Sir Donald went on to score 309 not out that day and remains the only test player to pass 300 runs in a day. What a boss!
1. The Birth of the Ashes
The friendly rivalry between the Aussies and the Poms stretches back a fair way, and that tiny but coveted urn is arguably its embodiment. In 1882 we claimed our first test win on English soil, with our ‘Demon Blower,’ Fred Spofforth claiming 14 wickets for 90 runs to bowl out the Poms for 77 -giving us a seven run victory.
The poor old Poms took this pretty hard and it was announced as the death of English cricket. A mock obituary ran in The Sporting Times, claiming the ‘body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.’ The next test was dubbed as the quest to regain the ashes. When England went on to win, a small urn was presented to the English Captain (Ivo Bligh), and the Ashes legend was born!
Image:Wikipedia
