Australia vs England: From Bradman’s duck to Stokes’ heist — The 10 blockbuster Ashes moments

The Ashes, one in all cricket’s biggest collection, is again as soon as once more and this offers us the proper likelihood to relive a number of the blockbuster moments by a number of the most interesting performances on the sector. From Sir Donald Bradman’s notorious duck to Jim Laker’s 19 wickets, to the Stokes’ heist in 2019, we have a look again on the most memorable Ashes moments of all time.
Bradman’s Last Duck, 1948
What occurred within the final century remains to be probably the most talked-about geese in cricket historical past. The legendary Don Bradman, enjoying his 52nd, and closing, Test was dismissed for a second-ball duck by leg-spinner Eric Hollies. That dismissal, within the closing Ashes match of 1948, left his profession runs at 6996, at a median of 99.94 — Bradman had wanted simply 4 runs for an ideal common. It was his seventh Test duck, however finally, it did little to tarnish his legacy.

Jim Laker’s 19 wickets in a single match, 1956
Jim Laker produced an iconic spell on the Old Trafford pitch which helped England take an unassailable 2-1 lead within the Ashes collection. His feat of 10 wickets in an innings has been repeated solely twice– by Anil Kumble in 1999 and Ajaz Patel in 2021. However, Laker’s match tally of 19 dismissals remains to be on prime and can most likely by no means be damaged.

Botham’s Ashes in 1981
The 1981 Ashes is finest remembered for the stellar efficiency by Ian Botham, who was fittingly adjudged because the participant of the collection for his match-winning performances. within the three video games, England received, it was his unbeaten 149 at Headingley which helped the Three Lions script an unimaginable comeback after shedding the primary sport. Incredibly, Botham had given up captaincy after the disastrous outcome within the opening match of the collection however this, in flip, helped him produce a memorable all-round efficiency.

Shane Warne hat-trick on the MCG, 1994
A yr after producing his masterpiece along with his very first Ashes ball in 1993, which is dubbed because the ball of the century, the leg-spinner picked up a hat-trick on the MCG in 1994 — the primary Ashes hat-trick in 90 years. (since Hugh Trumble’s feat in Melbourne in 1904). After going wicketless within the innings, Warne struck with the fourth ball of his thirteenth over, snaring Phil DeFreitas lbw. Darren Gough was his subsequent sufferer as Ian Healy accomplished a neat caught-behind, bringing Devon Malcolm trudging to the crease.
“The final wicket was typical Shane Warne,” mentioned captain Mark Taylor.”As Devon got here out to bat and Warney was on a hat-trick, he talked to the crew about bowling a flipper or massive leg spinner. “After leaving the crew huddle he clearly modified his thoughts and went for the top-spinner.
“He landed it perfectly, caught the gloves of Malcolm and it deflected to the leg side where David Boon took a superb one-handed diving catch.”

Steve Waugh slams a ton on one leg, 2001
Grit, a steely dedication was the attribute of Waugh’s unbeaten 157 which is commonly forgotten because it was made in a lifeless rubber on the Oval. But the circumstances round it make it a second to recollect. Before the sport, Waugh had injured himself with a calf muscle tear and was barely capable of stroll. But a medical miracle previous to sport allowed him to play, a choice which he now phrases as “pretty stupid” and “a little reckless”. Wobbling on the crease with pressure on his muscular tissues, Waugh dug deep and saved the runs flowing. The tensest second occurred when he was on 99, as he went for a fast single and needed to dive into the crease to cowl the final couple of yards. Lying on the pitch, Waugh was unable to stand up and raised his bat with a smile to acknowledge the gang as he accomplished his twenty seventh Test hundred.

Flintoff on Fire in 2005
The 2005 Ashes was one of many biggest collection in cricket historical past and noticed England beat their arch-rivals for the primary time in practically 19 years. What started with a defeat for the house crew within the first Test at Lord’s by 239 runs, changed into euphoria as Andrew Flintoff starred with each bat and ball. Flintoff picked up 24 wickets within the collection and was the best wicket-taker for his nation. He was equally good with the bat and scored a vital 102 within the first innings of the fourth Test which helped England win the Test match and take the Ashes dwelling.As a outcome, Ponting was pressured to endure the indignity of shedding an Ashes, which his predecessors Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor by no means did.

The miracle of Cardiff, 2009
England’s biggest escape occurred within the 2009 Test match at Cardiff, with the last-wicket pair of Monty Panesar and James Anderson heading off 69 deliveries to earn an unlikely draw for the hosts. This outcome proved to be essential for the hosts, as they went on to win the collection 2-1 to regain the urn which they’d misplaced to the Aussies in 2006-07. Speaking on Sky Sports, Anderson fondly recalled the second and mentioned: “I was thinking pretty clearly, actually. As 10 and 11 you are not expected to get us home. We just tried to focus on each ball, each over and we talked to each other quite a lot. The calling wasn’t overly great but we got there at the end, which was the main thing.” “Hearing that the Australian wives and girlfriends had the champagne delivered to their box at nine down buoyed us as well [for the rest of the series],” he added.

Gilchrist 57-ball 100 steals the thunder
Adam Gilchrist’ hammered 100 in simply 57 balls at Perth in 2006 which snuffed out England’s hopes of preventing again from a 0-2 deficit within the collection and helped Australia regain the urn. Incidentally, he missed the world report by a single ball. His first 50 got here from 40 balls however nobody would have considered him eclipsing Sir Viv Richards’ report of 56 balls. However, the brutal onslaught that adopted thereafter put the Richards report at risk. At one stage, Gilchrist was 93 from 51, and with 4 balls to interrupt the report it appeared a positive factor. However, with the sector unfold out he missed the mark by only one ball and needed to accept 100 in 57 balls. Misbah-ul-Haq and Brendon McCullum have marginally bettered that mark since.

Mitchell Johnson spits hearth on the Gabba
The 2013-14 Ashes collection didn’t start nicely for Australia as they slumped to 100/5 after electing to bat. But the entry of Mitchell Johnson turned the sport on its head. His first contribution was with the willow, scoring 64 essential runs off 134 balls in a significant 132-run stand with Brad Haddin that took Australia to a decent whole of 295. With the ball in hand, Johnson was the wrecker-in-chief with a fiery spell. His 4/61 within the first innings noticed England fold for 136. In the second innings, he bowled a brutal spell with 5/42, and England had been overwhelmed by a thumping margin of 381 runs.

Lone Ranger Ben Stokes scripts a heist to recollect
The Summer of Stokes is etched into our psyche. Stokes scored a surprising 135 not out as England saved its Ashes hopes alive with a one-wicket win over Australia within the third Test at Headingley in 2019. Stokes hit the winnings run as England completed on 362/9 in its second innings, chasing an unbelievable goal of 359. An unbeaten 76-run stand for the tenth wicket with Jack Leach helped England register its highest profitable fourth-innings chase in a take a look at match.