The "TWIST" in the "TAIL"

Image: cricket.com.au

2005 Ashes series was one of the most important and history changing series for England. England won that series 2-1, winning the urn for the first time since 1987. The 18 years old wait had come to an end with a scintillating all-round performance by Andrew Flintoff. 2005 was the best year for Freddy as he was in best form of his life, both with the bat as well as with the ball in that series. One can say that if Freddy wasn’t there in the English team then Aussies could had easily restricted England from regaining the urn.

The third test of this series was a real twist in the tail. The match started with England batting first. The English batting line up was pretty much one of the best at that time with the likes of Strauss, Vaughan, Trescothick, Flintoff and many more. In the first innings, English openers started up with aggressive approach. Trescothick and Strauss together got 112 runs partnership before Strauss got dismissed just 2 runs short of scoring his half century. However, the other opener didn’t stay calm enough when he scored 90 runs.  These runs came off pretty quickly of just 102 balls. Later in the innings Flintoff and Pietersen scored some good runs that came off with some great aggressive shots. England ended their innings with 407 runs on the board. However, the King of Spin was the leading wicket taker in the innings with 4 wickets.

Australia’s first innings started with a disappointment when Hayden got out for a golden duck. However, his partner decided to stay calm and play his innings in his way. Langer went on to make 82 runs by scoring slowly with Ponting, who scored 61 runs rapidly. No one took a stand for the Aussies except Gilchrist as he stood 49 not out at the end of the innings. The Kangaroos ended their innings by scoring only 308 runs and giving England the lead of 99 runs. Flintoff and Giles shared 3 wickets each.

Australian bowlers were pretty much clear in their minds to restrict England batsmen cheaply. They wanted a revenge for a big innings total in the first innings. This time Aussie bowlers didn’t let the English batsmen score freely. The pitch certainly had cracks and many rough patches which made spinners play a big role. Shane Warne was right on the money. The King of Spin was certainly in the mood to destroy the English batting line up. Not 1, not 2 , not 3 but Warne got through 6 English batsman. Lee too got 4 wickets, contributing to taking 10 English wickets for just 182 runs.

Aussies now required 282 runs to win with sufficient time left in the test. The openers started quite well scoring 47 runs for the first wicket. Just four balls later, Punter fell the victim to Flintoff. The middle order too, dint contribute well enough as they all got out for odd 20 runs each. The TAILS had now started coming to the crease with continuous fall of wickets. The only hope that Aussies had was a MIRACLE from the tail-enders.

Warne did his job by scoring 43 runs. Now, Lee and Kasprowicz were at the crease. They needed some 40 odd runs to with the match with just one wicket left. To everyone’s surprise, the tail-enders were performing very well and they were looking quite set too. The tail-enders scored some good amount of runs, giving the Australians a very good hope of winning. The miracle was about to happen. But, as we all know, Michael Vaughan always has some sharp tactics in his mind. There was nothing different this time. There was no sign of give up from the hosts. The situation now was such that, Australia needed 3 runs with one wicket left. Up to bowl was one of the dangerous bowler of that time, Steve Harmison. 

There was a TWIST then. Kasprowicz on the strike. Harmison bowled a short pitched delivery and while escaping from that fiery delivery, Kasprowicz nicked it and handed a simple catch to Jones. England had won the match by 2 runs. They were all over their happiness. Lee was distraught on the crease after scoring an unbeaten 43. Showing some sportsmanship, Flintoff went to him and shook hand with him.

This was one of the best matches in cricket history. There was perfect entertainment for the crowd. Till date, this match is remembered by all of us. England got a well-deserved victory. Nothing better than this could have happened. Freddy was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance. Vaughan went on to become one of the greatest captains of all time with his sharp mind and tactics. Though these runs cost the Aussies the urn, but at the end of the day Cricket was the ultimate winner.