2005 Ashes series

Infobox cricket series
series= 2005 Ashes Series
partof= the Australian cricket team in England in 2005


caption= A ticker-tape reception for the victorious England players
date= 21 July 2005 – 12 September 2005
place= England
result= England won the 5-Test series 2-1
team1=
team2=
captain1= Michael Vaughan
captain2= Ricky Ponting
runs1= Kevin Pietersen (473) Marcus Trescothick (431) Andrew Flintoff (402)
runs2= Justin Langer (394) Ricky Ponting (359) Michael Clarke (335)
wickets1= Andrew Flintoff (24) Simon Jones (18) Steve Harmison (17)
wickets2= Shane Warne (40) Brett Lee (20) Glenn McGrath (19)

The 2005 Ashes series was that year's edition of the long-standing and storied cricket rivalry between England and Australia. Starting on 21 July 2005, England and Australia played five Tests, with the Ashes held by Australia as the most recent victors. The final result was a 2–1 series win for England, who succeeded (for the first time since 1987) in their biennial attempt to win the urn.

In March, Australia's captain, Ricky Ponting, said that this Ashes series would be the closest since Australia's dominance began in 1989. [cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4393065.stm |title = Ponting wary of improved England |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 2005-03-30 |accessdate = 2005-12-31] Since 1989, when Australia started their winning Ashes streak,cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/3637102.stm |title = Ashes warning from McGrath |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 2004-09-08 |accessdate = 2005-12-31] England had only come within one match of the title once, in 1997: Australia were the pre-eminent side in the world, whilst England had dropped from being the top-rated in 1981 to sixth for much of the Nineties. They reached a low point in 1999 with a series loss to New Zealand leaving them bottom of the unofficial "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack" rankings. [cite book | last = Engel | first = Matthew | title =Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2000 | publisher =Wisden | date =2000 | id = ISBN 0-947766-58-8] However, since the previous series in 2002–03, England had improved on their fifth place in the official rankings, [cite web |url = http://www.icc-cricket.com/icc/test/archive/2003.html |title = ICC Test Championship Tables |publisher = International Cricket Council |accessdate = 2005-12-31] and were second before this series. Australia were still top-ranked, but England had won 14 and drawn 3 of their 18 previous Test matches since March 2004, and had won six successive series. Nonetheless, before the First Test some Australians, including fast bowler Glenn McGrath, were suggesting that a 5–0 win in the series for Australia was a serious possibility.

The BBC reported on the day after the series that it was "hailed as the most thrilling series ever". [cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4239806.stm |title = Ashes media watch |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 2005-09-13 |accessdate = 2005-12-31] Allowing for some hyperbole, it was certainly one of the most nailbiting series in cricket in the modern era. Individual matches were very closely fought, with one match decided by a two-run margin, one match drawn with only one wicket remaining, and one match won by three wickets. The outcome of the contest was not decided until the very last day of the series.

As mentioned, England won the series 2–1, with the other two Tests drawn. Australia won the first Test comfortably, but the Second Test saw England level the series with a two run victory, the narrowest win in Ashes history. [cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4128908.stm |title = England clinch thrilling victory |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 2005-08-07 |accessdate = 2005-12-31] The third Test ended in a draw (with England one wicket away from a win), and England won the fourth Test in Nottingham (Trent Bridge) by three wickets, losing seven men in a chase of 129, after England enforced the follow on after gaining a lead of 259 on first innings.

The fifth and final Test started on 8 September at the Oval in London. It entered its final day with England batting in their second innings, 40 runs ahead with nine wickets in hand. Australia needed a win to force a 2–2 series draw and retain the Ashes; any other result would give the Ashes to England and end 16 years and eight series of Australian dominance. After a day of fluctuating fortunes, England established a lead of 341 after Kevin Pietersen's maiden century, and Australia batted for one over before the teams went off for bad light, Rudi Koertzen pulled the stumps out of the ground, and the match was declared a draw to ensure the return of the Ashes to England.

quads

Day One

The psychological battles before the match included many Australian statements to the press about how the pitch "played into [their] hands", [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/214826.html Australia look forward to slow Edgbaston pitch] , from AFP, published on Cricinfo on 1 August 2005] that England had been "spending too much time talking", [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/214801.html Australia benefit from 'all-talk' approach] published on Cricinfo on 1 August 2005] and that their top order had been "taking bad options". [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/214799.html England batsmen took 'bad options' - McGrath] published on Cricinfo on 1 August 2005] England kept quieter, until just before the game stories appeared about how the Edgbaston game would be decided at the toss: whichever side won it would choose to bowl first and would win, as had happened in 12 of the 13 Tests at Edgbaston since 1991. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/214933.html A win-the-toss-and-bowl venue] by S Rajesh, published on Cricinfo on 3 August 2005] England came out on top in the mind game after Ricky Ponting won the toss and put England in to bat; Jonathan Agnew of the BBC claimed "it was clear that his decision had backfired" once England started batting. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4746941.stm Jonathan Agnew column] published on BBC Sport 4 August 2005]

England took advantage of being inserted and came back strongly, becoming the first team to hit 400 runs in a first day of Test cricket against Australia since 1938. [ [http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes2005/story/0,15993,1543068,00.html England explode from the blocks] by Mike Selvey, published by The Guardian on 5 August 2005] The English scored at a pace above four an over in their opening partnership, helped by the freak injury that Glenn McGrath sustained before the match; during a warm-up (playing rugby), the pace-man accidentally stood on a cricket ball, tearing ankle ligaments. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/215050.html McGrath ruled out with ankle injury] published on Cricinfo on 4 August 2005] Australia had to field Michael Kasprowicz as replacement, and missed McGrath's superior control and wicket-taking abilities in the match.

The English innings began with Marcus Trescothick hitting nine boundaries off Brett Lee, while Andrew Strauss preferred Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz. [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/AUS_IN_ENG/SCORECARDS/AUS_ENG_T2_04-08AUG2005_PLYR-V-PLYR.html 2nd Test: Player v Player Statistics] from Cricinfo, retrieved on 4 January 2006] Their 112-run partnership was the highest by England in the series thus far; the Australians had only surpassed that once, through Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke's 155 at Lord's. To add to Australia's woes, Trescothick was caught off a no-ball on 32, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4742603.stm Australia hold aggressive England] from BBC Sport, published 4 August 2005] and eventually went on to make 90, being the second man out shortly after lunch, with the score 164 for 2 after 32.3 overs.

In the next five overs, England lost both Ian Bell, who notched up his third successive single-figure score, and Michael Vaughan, who pulled a short Gillespie delivery to the hands of Lee, but that did little to slow the scoring rate. 132 runs had been taken in the morning session; the afternoon yielded 157. Kevin Pietersen, in his second Test match, hit ten fours and one six, and made a 103-run partnership in 105 balls with Andrew Flintoff. [http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/AUS_IN_ENG/SCORECARDS/AUS_ENG_T2_04-08AUG2005.html 2nd Test: England v Australia at Edgbaston, 4-8 Aug 2005] , scorecard from Cricinfo, retrieved 4 December 2005] Flintoff's 68 was scored off 62 balls, and Lee's 18 balls were taken for 26 runs, including two sixes.

Lee bowled 17 overs, and conceded 111 runs, but got the one wicket of Pietersen, who pulled to Simon Katich for 71 off 76 balls, and with the score on 342 for 7 with 24 scheduled overs remaining in the day. Then, Steve Harmison smacked two fours and a six in a 15-minute 17, and Simon Jones stuck around with Matthew Hoggard for a last-wicket partnership of 32, Jones making 19 not out. Shane Warne finally got the better of Hoggard, to end with four for 116, but by that time England had gone past 400 and ended up with a total of 407 in just under 80 overs. Just as Australia's opening batsman walked out and prepared for their innings, the rain began to fall on Edgbaston, and play had to be stopped.

Day Two

England's total could have been significantly higher with a bit more top-order application, especially given the high scoring rate. However, England's bowlers started well when Steve Harmison bowled a maiden over first up to Justin Langer, and Matthew Hayden holed out to Harmison's new-ball partner Matthew Hoggard for a golden duck - the first of Hayden's Test career. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/4747865.stm England take control at Edgbaston] published by BBC Sport on 5 December 2005] Then, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer hit runs just as quickly as England had done, before the umpire's finger went up twice more before lunch; Ricky Ponting swept a shot off Ashley Giles to the opposing captain Vaughan for 61, and Damien Martyn was run out taking a single for 20. Langer and Michael Clarke continued after lunch in the same vein, hitting 76 runs in an hour and a half, but a couple of wickets within five overs took Australia to 208 for 5, needing 199 for the last five wickets for parity. The partnership between Langer and Gilchrist saw them to tea with no further loss, as Langer continued his four-hour unbeaten knock and went into the tea break on 72.

The pair looked to close England's lead and batted unbeaten after tea for eight overs, but again the England bowlers intervened - this time in the shape of Simon Jones, who got plenty of reverse swing both ways [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/215122.html England lead by 124 after Giles answers critics] by Andrew McGlashan, published on Cricinfo on 5 August 2005] and used that to trap Langer with a yorker - gone for 82, which was to be Australia's highest score in the innings. Australia's last four, which now included Michael Kasprowicz who had a batting average 10 runs higher than McGrath, were nevertheless all dismissed for single-figure scores, Flintoff taking the two last men LBW with the two last balls, although there was some argument about whether the first dismissal, that of Gillespie, was actually out or not. Meanwhile, Ashley Giles' return of three for 78, including Ponting, Clarke and Katich, was to be his best bowling figures all series. [ [http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/AUS_IN_ENG/STATS/AUS_IN_ENG_JUN-SEP2005_TEST_AVS.html Australia in England, 2005 Test Series Averages] from Cricinfo, retrieved 4 January 2006]

However, England got their 99-run lead and continued to build their lead before stumps were drawn. After Trescothick and Strauss had hit five boundaries in six overs and taken the second innings total to 25 for 0, [ [http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2005/AUS_IN_ENG/SCORECARDS/AUS_ENG_T2_04-08AUG2005_BBB-COMMS.html The Ashes 2005 - Ball-By-Ball Commentary, 2nd Test] from Cricinfo, retrieved 4 January 2006] Ponting brought on Warne in the seventh over, and Warne broke through with his second ball of the innings; his leg break came into the left-hander's stumps and broke them completely, and Strauss was bowled for 6. Nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard survived four balls to end the day - England still leading by 124, with nine wickets in hand.

Day Three

The third day saw a total of seventeen wickets fall, with Shane Warne and Andrew Flintoff being the leading performers for their sides. First up, Brett Lee grabbed three wickets in twelve minutes - Trescothick slashed a wide delivery and got an edge to the keeper, captain Vaughan got his third single-figure score in the series as he failed to cover his stumps to a straight one, and nightwatchman Hoggard edged to Hayden in the slips for 1.

England had lost four wickets for six runs, and were 31 for 4 with Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen at the crease. Pietersen survived what looked like an edge on the first ball he faced, [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/215198.html Flintoff takes England to the brink of victory] by Jenny Thompson, published by Cricinfo on 6 August 2005] and went on to make 20 before he was given out in a similar situation from Shane Warne. His 41-run partnership with Bell took England's lead past 150, and with Bell having batted past the hour mark, he needed 29 more for his half-century when he gave a tiny edge to Gilchrist.

England's last recognised batting pairing, between Flintoff and wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, saw England to lunch, but Flintoff had suffered an injury to his left shoulder and looked in obvious pain, and Jones departed shortly after lunch. Giles lasted longer, batting through 45 minutes before he was caught by Hayden, and Harmison faced one delivery to leave England at 131 for 9.

Jones and Flintoff carried on, however. Jones managed 12 runs in his 42-minute stay at the crease while Flintoff took Lee for 33 off the 28 balls he faced from the Australian paceman. Flintoff also took runs off Kasprowicz, with his third over yielding 20 runs for England, including a couple of no balls. At one point during Flintoff's innings, Ponting had nine men on the boundary, with only the bowler and the wicket-keeper inside the circle. However, Flintoff hit a six over them, too, and another of his sixes landed on top of the stands. Flintoff ended with 73, as the only man to pass 25 for England, before he was bowled by Warne. Warne finished with figures of six for 46 from 23.1 overs, having bowled unchanged from the seventh over till the end - but, as luck and Australia's batsmen would have it, his failure to get Flintoff out earlier would be crucial.

Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer started positively, taking runs off the occasional bad balls that were served up by Harmison, Hoggard and Giles, and by the twelfth over they had racked up 47 for no loss, and were well on the way to chasing the target of 282. Then, Flintoff came and bowled the over of the series. He failed to make the hat-trick he was on from the last innings, but with his second ball he bowled Langer with a leg cutter. His third delivery was narrowly turned down for lbw, the fourth found Ponting's edge but failed to carry to slip, an lbw appeal on the fifth was also turned down, but his sixth which Ponting left outside the offstump was a no ball, so there was a seventh and final delivery, another leg cutter and Ponting was out caught behind. Including the previous innings, Flintoff had taken four wickets in nine balls. But more importantly, Australia had been reduced from 47-0 to 48-2.

Hayden kept going, and his dismissal came in an over where Australia had taken eight runs from the first four balls; however, Simon Jones got the last laugh over Hayden - only to later be reprimanded and fined by the ICC for his celebrations. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/215317.html Simon Jones fined for send-off] published on Cricinfo on 7 August 2005] England kept on the pressure, getting three more wickets before the scheduled close of play; Giles getting two, dismissing Katich and Gilchrist, and an inswinging ball from Flintoff took care of Gillespie, who was trapped lbw.

An extra half-hour of play was allowed, as a result was nearing, but Warne and Clarke defied the English. Warne "took the attacking approach", and took on Giles for 12 in one over. He ended on 20 not out overnight, as Warne and Clarke batted together for 40 minutes before Steve Harmison, bowling his third spell of the day, brought the third day's proceedings to an end with a slow delivery that was not read correctly by Clarke, who missed the ball completely to be bowled. England now needed two wickets on the fourth day, while Australia needed 107 runs for the victory.

Day Four

England were said to be "on the brink of...victory", but Australia came back thanks to two partnerships worth more than 40 to take themselves within three runs of a 2–0 series lead. First, Warne and Lee added 45 for the ninth wicket, before Warne trod on his own stumps after a full Flintoff ball and was out hit wicket. Kasprowicz came in and supported Lee well, fending off aggressive bowling from Flintoff and Harmison, and Simon Jones dropped Kasprowicz with 15 left to get. [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/215305.html England hold nerve in two-run thriller] by Jenny Thompson, published by Cricinfo on 7 August 2005] With three runs needed to win, Harmison had Kasprowicz caught behind. England were thus victors - if in almost the most narrow way possible - and the series tied with three matches left.

Rather than engaging in the victory celebrations, the immediate reaction of Flintoff to the winning dismissal was to console the despondent batsmen, Brett Lee, – a gesture which was widely commented upon as indicative of the good sportsmanship and mutual respect between the teams which characterised the series. [ [http://www.sportinglife.com/fanzine/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=Sporting_Life/05/11/29/manual_122612.html ASHES HEROICS WAS FRONT PAGE NEWS] by Myles Hodgson, URL retrieved 5 January 2006] [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/geoff-mcclure/sporting-life/2005/10/04/1128191719414.html Photograph that sealed a friendship] by Geoff McClare, in Sporting Life column in The Age, published 5 October 2005] [ [http://www.ecb.co.uk/england/npower-tests/lee-excited-to-face-flintoff-again,6332,EN.html Lee keen to face Flintoff again] published by England and Wales Cricket Board, URL retrieved 5 January 2006]

England's two run victory was the narrowest result in Ashes cricket history thus far (there had been two Ashes Tests won by a margin of only three runs). It is also the second narrowest run victory in all Test cricket history. [ [http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/RESULTS/CLOSEST_TESTS_BY_RUNS.html Tests - Lowest Win Margins by Runs] from Cricinfo, retrieved 5 January 2006]

Third Test: England v Australia (11–15 August)

Team changes

Australia named Glenn McGrath, recovered from an elbow injury, to replace Michael Kasprowicz. England's Simon Jones did not recover from his ankle injury from the previous Test in time to be included in the England team, and was replaced after much speculation by all-rounder Paul Collingwood, in preference to specialist fast bowler James Anderson.

Day One

The final match to decide the fate of the legendary Ashes urn finally began, and the proverbial first blood was drawn by England as Michael Vaughan won his third toss of the series (much to the delight of the Brit Oval crowd). Vaughan elected to have his English side to bat first, and the English first innings got underway. Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss added 82 for the first wicket, as England's batsmen looked to take on the Australians, but subtle spin variations bowled from Shane Warne yielded three wickets as England went to lunch on 115 for 3.

Shane Warne continued after lunch by taking the wicket of Kevin Pietersen for 14. Andrew Flintoff emerged to form a vital partnership of 143 with Andrew Strauss, before to falling to Glenn McGrath for 72 an hour after tea. Strauss made his 2nd century of the series, before being dismissed by Shane Warne off an acrobatic catch by Simon Katich. The day ended with Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles at the crease, with England 319 for 7. Certain forecasts for London called for showers sometime during the weekend, which, it was thought, might wipe up to a day of action or more from the ledger.

Day Two

Day two began positively for the Australians, with Jones being bowled for 25 off Brett Lee, and Matthew Hoggard managing a meagre 2 before being dismissed by McGrath. However, Ashley Giles and Steve Harmison frustrated the Australians by taking the score past 370, before Warne trapped Giles lbw shortly before midday, leaving England all out for 373.

The Australian first innings got off to a solid start, with Justin Langer forging a 100 partnership with fellow opener Matthew Hayden — the first opening-partnership century of the series by the Australian cricket team. Langer played some blistering strokes off Giles' bowling in particular, but survived a sharp chance to Marcus Trescothick at first slip. The Australians were offered the light immediately after tea, despite the English protesting and wanting to bowl Giles. The Australians accepted it, and the light never improved, with light rain coming down later. Thus, the day concluded with Australia 112/0, 261 runs behind England.

Day Three

After a delay for wet field conditions, the third day began with a flurry of action, as both Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden had close calls with lbw appeals, which replays suggested should have been out, and shies at the stumps that just missed. However, no batsman was given out in the morning session, where only 14 overs of play was possible due to rain. Australia added 45 runs in that time.

After lunch Hayden and Langer continued their solid batting, frustrating the England bowlers, with Langer reaching his 22nd Test century. Shortly afterwards, England gained a minor victory as Harmison dismissed Justin Langer, who departed to a rapturous ovation. Ricky Ponting should then have been dismissed for a bat-pad catch off Giles, but Bowden turned down the appeal. Hayden also achieved three-figure success later in the day - his first century for over a year, while Flintoff's hostile and accurate bowling was rewarded with the wicket of Ricky Ponting, caught at slip by Strauss. With this wicket, Andrew Flintoff equalled Ian Botham's hitherto unique achievement of 300 runs and 20 wickets in an Ashes series. Flintoff had a later appeal for a catch behind turned down by Rudi Koertzen, despite it hitting the bat.

The Australian batsmen once again ended the day early by accepting an offer of bad light, bringing a much-interrupted day to a close after only 45.4 overs. Thanks to dogged batting and at least four umpiring decisions in their favour on the third day, they finished 96 runs behind with eight wickets of their first innings intact.

Day Four

The fourth day started brightly for England, Damien Martyn hooking a short ball from Flintoff straight into the hands of Collingwood, in the third over of the day, having added only one to his overnight score of nine. Further wickets fell, with an excellent knock by Matthew Hayden been brought to an end by Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff continued with impetus and trapped Simon Katich lbw for 1, before Hoggard had Adam Gilchrist lbw with an inswinger at the stroke of lunch. Gilchrist, however, had added a quick 23 that could be vital, as Australia went into the pavilion 17 runs behind with four wickets in hand.

However, it only took six post-lunch overs for England to end the Australian effort. Geraint Jones dropped a catch off Michael Clarke's bat, but it did not prove to be crucial, as Clarke was lbw to Hoggard in the next over. Warne and McGrath both went for ducks, caught off a mistimed hook and in the slips respectively. Finally Hoggard had Brett Lee (6) caught in the deep and Australia were bowled out for 367. Flintoff finished with five wickets, the second five-for of his career, while Hoggard's four for 97 was his best return of the series.

Thus England, who had expected to begin their second innings chasing a hundred runs or more, were actually leading by six as they took up their bats in mid-afternoon. Australia took a very quick wicket, that of Andrew Strauss, who was dismissed again by Shane Warne, caught bat-and-pad by Katich for a solitary run. The wicket was Warne's 167th against England, equalling Dennis Lillee's Ashes bowling record. 11 balls after this dismissal, umpires Rudi Koertzen and Billy Bowden judged it unfair to continue play due to inadequate light. One additional session of play was however subsequently possible, taking England to a 40-run lead without further loss, before poor light ended the day. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4234498.stm Day four synopsis] , BBC Sport, retrieved 27 November 2006.]

Day Five

The fifth day began with the game still finely balanced. Ponting put his trust in his two proven wicket takers -- McGrath and Warne. England batted well for forty minutes, with Vaughan taking the game to the Australian bowlers, but McGrath produced two beautiful outswingers to dismiss him and Ian Bell (for a pair) with consecutive deliveries. The Australian charge was diminished by a couple of uncharacteristic dropped catches, but Warne and McGrath combined to take 4 wickets before lunch, leaving England 133 runs ahead with 5 wickets remaining.

The afternoon session was anchored by Pietersen, the beneficiary of three dropped catches, who scored his maiden Test century, with obdurate support from Collingwood and Giles. The session saw only two wickets fall, Collingwood was caught acrobatically by silly mid-off Ponting for 10, and Geraint Jones (1) decisively bowled when he was deceived by a rapid Tait delivery. Pietersen was finally dismissed for 158, a superlative innings including 15 fours and 7 sixes, while Ashley Giles added 59 and Steve Harmison was dismissed for a duck to bring Australia into bat with less than 19 overs remaining.

As the Australians began their innings, it was clear that not enough time remained for them to make up the 341 runs by which they trailed. Almost immediately they were offered the light; and having accepted it, both teams had to return to the dressing-rooms to wait for a formal finish. The situation became somewhat farcical. With the match effectively over, the crowd were eager for the Ashes to be presented to England, and the celebrations to begin. After a period of some uncertainty and confusion, at 18:17 BST umpires Koertzen and Bowden removed the bails and pulled up the stumps to signal the end of the match. Australia had scored just four leg byes in their second innings, making it the only innings in Test cricket history in which every run was an extra. With no result in this fifth and final Test, England took the series 2-1, regaining the Ashes for the first time since 1987.

Kevin Pietersen, having scored his maiden Test century at a crucial point, was voted Man of the Match by Channel 4 viewers. Andrew Flintoff was chosen by Australian coach John Buchanan as English Man of the Series while English coach Duncan Fletcher selected Shane Warne as the Australian Man of the Series. The new Compton-Miller Award for the overall man of the series (as selected by each side's chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns and David Graveney) was also presented to Andrew Flintoff. Finally, the replica urn was presented to jubilant English skipper Michael Vaughan, thus ending the series in favour of the home side.

Records

Individual records