The world of sports is full of events that not only entertain fans but also provide moments of pure magic as well as some heart-stopping ones.
The Ashes series played between the two arch-rivals of cricket, England and Australia, is undoubtedly a spectacular event due to its intensity, history, background and culture.
It is hoped that Ashes 2023 will also mesmerize the fans with tricks and nerve-racking stuff.
Meanwhile, coming to the historical background, the term ‘Ashes’ was first used in 1882 when England lost to Australia by seven runs at the Oval on home soil chasing a target of less than 100. Failed.
The Sporting Times called this defeat the death of the English team.
“The body will be cremated and the ashes flown to Australia,” the Sporting Times said.
On the other hand, much has been written about the 143-year history of the Ashes series since 1882.
In this piece, we’ll delve into the past to discover defining moments.
Bodyline series
England dominated most of the series since its inception, but Australia began to dominate after World War I.
And to prevent a humiliating losing streak and to prevent batting genius Don Bradman from piling on the runs, England, before the 1932-33 series, adopted a fast-leg strategy known as ‘The Bodyline’. Known from
The controversial and dangerous tactic saw the bowlers bowl straight over the bodies of the Australian batsmen to force them to defend their bodies with the bat and deliver catches in the leg-side field.
Although England won the controversial series convincingly and Bradman could only score a century, the approach sparked heated debate.
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had to change the rules to limit the number of fielders on the league side.
However, Australia regained the Ashes in 1934, winning a closely fought series 2–1 and retaining it until 1954.
Bradman’s departure
The 1948 series saw Don Bradman end his illustrious career after cementing his name among the greatest batsmen of all time.
In just 52 Tests, the run machine master scored 6,996 runs at an astonishing average of 99.94, with a record tally of 29 centuries and 12 double centuries.
In his last match at the Oval, he needed just four runs to reach an average of 100 but was dismissed for a wicket on the second ball, as the entire ground rose to applaud.
Botham, Stokes Headingley heroics
Who can forget legendary all-rounder Ian Botham’s heroics in the third Test of the 1981 series and Ben Stokes’ sensational 135 in the 2019 series?
In the 1981 Test, Australia conceded a healthy first innings lead of 227 and decided to enforce the follow-on.
But the stage seemed set for Botham to display his prodigious abilities with both bat and bowling and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
England, with seven batsmen on the brink of defeat, returned to the pavilion for just 135 runs, saved by Botham, who scored 149 runs against a world-class Australian attack.
Bob Willis took eight wickets to help England defend 130 and win by 18 runs.
In the third Test of the 2019 series, Stokes played an innings in which he displayed tenacity, defense and brutal hitting. Chasing 359 and with wickets falling fast, Stokes made the difference.
England needed 67 for the last wicket but Stokes kept his cool and kept most of the strike apart from some brutal hits when needed. He ended the innings emphatically as if he were a child bowler, hitting Pat Cummins for four.
Australia’s dominance
Under the captaincy of Mike Gatting, England won the 1985 series 3–1 and the 1986–87 series in Australia 2–1.
But, after the 1989 series, what followed was a humiliating period as Australia, who had already replaced the West Indies as cricket’s powerhouse after their 1987 World Cup triumph, went on to win eight consecutive series. I succeeded. Out of the eight series, Australia have won four at home and four in England.
Players like Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden made Australia an unbeaten force under the leadership of Steve Waugh.
The win-loss ratio was almost the same until the 1989 series. But Australia’s dominance took the margin to 115 against England’s 87.
2005 epic
The 2005 Ashes series can be called a ‘game changer’ for England. An inexperienced side led by Michael Vaughan punched above their weight and ended their 19-year Ashes triumph with a 2-1 defeat to the mighty Australians.
The series witnessed individual skill, close combat, heated exchange of words and sportsmanship by players from both sides.
England won both Tests by the closest of margins, the second by two runs and the fourth by three wickets as Andrew Flintoff emerged as the star. His heroics gave a dying game a new boost in a football-mad nation.
However, in the next series in 2006-07, Australia took revenge by ensuring a whitewash. Legends including Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath retired after the series.
England’s triumph in Australia
After winning the 2009 series 2–1 at home, high-confidence England went into the 2010–11 series in Australia.
They did what no one else could: win the series in Australia for the first time since 1986-87. The Australian team included players like Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey. But under the leadership of Andrew Strauss, England overcame the challenges and won the series 3-1.
The star performer for them was Alastair Cook. He showed bravery and unwavering resistance to Willow under difficult circumstances. Cook scored 766 runs with the help of three centuries and the highest was 235 not out.
Demolition from Johnson
Mitchell Johnson, who has been an injury-prone bowler since his debut in 2007, was at the top of his trade during the 2013-14 Ashes series. He helped Australia complete a 5-0 whitewash and regain the ‘Urn’.
During the series, the former left-arm fast bowler was a nightmare for the England batsmen, who were clueless against their fast bouncers.
He took 37 wickets during the series and was adjudged man of the match, displaying a blistering pace that was rarely seen during the batsman’s friendly career.
