You can watch all the Ashes highlights on World Cricket Watch.  You might wanna relive them and watch from start to finish or simply pick the best days play from the series.

Ashes 1st Test Highlights

Ashes 1st Test Day 1 Highlights

Ashes 2nd Test Highlights

Ashes 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights

Ashes 3rd Test Highlights

Ashes 3rd Test Day 1 Highlights

Ashes 4th Test Highlights

Ashes 4th Test Day 1 Highlights

Ashes 5th Test Highlights

Ashes 5th Test Day 1 Highlights

23rd August 2009. The date probably won’t remain etched into the minds of English cricket lovers in the same way as 12th September 2005 is. There won’t be any open top bus tours and MBEs and trips to 10 Downing Street. But England’s victory today was perhaps even more remarkable than that of four years ago.

In 2005 England went into the final Test at the Oval 2-1 up in the series with an extra batsman in the side to replace Simon Jones and once the toss was won all they had to do was not lose 20 wickets and the Ashes were theirs. It wasn’t quite as simple as that of course, these things never were when Shane Warne (12 wickets in the match) was around but the stage had been set up for victory in advance. Not so in 2009.

Outplayed at Cardiff, England held on somehow. At Lord’s they finally shook off years of Ashes underachievement at the ground and stunned the Australians with Andrew Strauss’s 161 and Jimmy Anderson’s 4 wickets setting up a big first innings lead then Swann and Flintoff taking 9 wickets between then to finish things off. Rain and two evenly matched batting sides dictated that the 3rd Test finished a draw, and then England were driven into the ground so emphatically at Headingley as Australia won by an innings and 80 runs that despite the score only being 1-1 with one to play, England were written off. And after day one at the Oval when they lost 8 wickets having won the toss and chosen to bat, they were dead and buried. So how did they manage to win? Here are the five key moments which lead to England’s reclaiming of the Ashes, starting with the spell that turned this 5th and final Test on it’s head on day two.

1. Stuart Broad’s spell after lunch on day two.

England win the toss which was job one, then set about scoring the 450 or so they would have wanted which was job two. At the end of day one they had scored 307 runs, which would have been perfect had the wickets column not had an 8 in it. They finished on 332 and unless the bowlers could take ten wickets for under 250, Australia were clear favourites for the match. The Aussie reply stared well, Watson and Katich reaching 73 before Strauss tossed the ball to Stuart Broad. 21 deliveries later he had taken 4-8 including Ponting, Hussey and Clarke and the game was on it’s head. Australia were shot out for 160 and England had somehow secured a sizeable first innings lead.

2. Two run outs on the fourth afternoon.

Chasing 546 was nigh on impossible on a dusty turning wearing pitch, but with more than two full days to do it, it wasn’t a completely impossible task. Less than an hour after lunch Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey were both set, playing well and past 50. Australia were 217-2 and still had Clarke, North, Haddin and Johnson to come before the tail. Then, from nowhere, Michael Hussey decided to tip and run to wide mid on, Ponting ball watched for a fraction of a second too long and Freddie Flintoff, dodgy knee and all, swooped, scooped and unleashed a flat armed rocket at the stumps, knocked the off stump clean out of the ground and the Australian captain was inches short. Then, next man in, vice captain Michael Clarke advanced down the pitch to Swann and leg glanced his fourth ball into short leg’s boot, it ricocheted to Strauss at leg slip who threw down the stumps with Clarke millimetres short. Captain and Vice captain, one of the World’s greatest and man of the series, gone inside a crazy 10 minutes of cricket. Australia still had a slight chance with Hussey at the crease but these guys going in such quick succession to two brilliant pieces of fielding effectively ended the game as a contest.

3. James Anderson and Monty Panesar at Cardiff.

James Anderson lasted 69 minutes and Monty Panesar 37 minutes to steal a draw from the jaws of defeat after being totally outplayed in the opening Test. England began their second innings 229 in arrears and slumped to 46-4 early on the final day having closed day four 20-2. This became 102-5 by lunch and the last rites were being read at tea with the score 169-7. As Paul Collingwood was busy compiling a 245 ball 74, he had company at the other end first from Graeme Swann and them from nightwatchman and blocker extraordinaire James Anderson, but when Collingwood fell with time still to play the game was surely over with only dear old Monty left. But the two of them played the innings of their lives to hang on and secure England the draw.

4. Andrew Strauss’s hundred at Lord’s.

After the great escape at Cardiff England moved onto to Lord’s where they traditionally lose heavily to Australia. In fact they hadn’t won since 1934 so the odds were against them. Step forward captain Strauss and 161 runs which set up England’s first inning’s total of 425. Strauss was the only English batsman to score a century and finished with almost twice as many runs than anyone else in his team, and top of the overall run scorers list just ahead of Michael Clarke. Flintoff’s 5 wickets on the final morning at Lord’s grabbed the headlines but it was Strauss’s big hundred followed up by four James Anderson wickets which gave England the platform for victory.

5. Flintoff’s Five.

Andrew Flintoff’s spell on the final morning at Lord’s was pure theatre. Forget who he got out, charging in from The Pavilion End all morning unchanged on only one leg he whipped the crowd into such a frenzy and lifted his team mates around him to such a degree that you could have been forgiven for thinking it was Edgbaston 2005. Graeme Swann took 4 wickets and left without the plaudits, Flintoff was awarded man of the match although Strauss and James Anderson would surely have been stronger candidates, but no-one would deny Freddie this moment. It was great to witness what turned out to be his last big Hurrah as although he featured in two of the remaining three matches his impact on the remainder of the series was minimal.

Well done England and well done too Australia. Either side could justifiably have won this series, Australia took more wickets and scored more runs but England won the key sessions and the crucial plays which was the difference between the two sides in the end. Roll on 2010/1011.

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The 2009 Ashes has been dubbed ‘the pendulum series’.  Such has been the exchanges in momentum, as fortunes have swung and chances swooped upon.  Hearts have fluttered, performances have fluctuated, one-way traffic this series has been not.

The statistics deceive the true nature of this series.  Australia took more wickets, and among them, the Australians have scored ten centuries to England’s two.  And still the 2009 Ashes came down to the series finale, ultimately decided by a devastating bowling spell, a handful of sharp run-outs and a South African, batting on debut, in a cloud of dust.

It is reaching within, and seizing the opportunity, what professional sportspeople often refer to as ‘digging deep’. To recall Michael Clarke on the fourth afternoon at Lord’s, fighting back in a test in which both fortunes and performances had eluded his team, provides an example of delving into one own psyche, to utilise one’s talent and to deliver a performance.  Even chipping away at a record fourth innings total, as they reached into themselves to find the stubbornness and toughness that one has become to expect of Australian sporting outfits.

Yet it was England who dug deeper, and at the most crucial of times.  The plaudits can be equally shared.  Anderson and Panesar at Cardiff, dogged.  Flintoff’s final spell at Lord’s, awe-inspiring.  Onion’s swing at Edgbaston and Broad’s session at The Oval, destructive.  The final Test, providing occasions for individuals to have a say in the outcome of the decider, Swann’s spin, Flintoff’s fielding to run out Ponting, and Prior’s stumping of North to compliment the efforts of Strauss, Bell and debutant Trott to accumulate runs beyond the means of any good batting line-up, regardless of conditions.

To choose a team of the series has been problematic. Varied conditions and opportunities have allowed many players to capitalise on their own strengths, whilst form and fortune has ebbed and flowed.  Few selections have been clear, and a place or two has been a dogfight. I have gone for a team based on performances solely from this series. I would be interested to see if you agree!

Katich-An accumulator of runs, including a fine century in the First Test. Katich has dealt with the loss of his initial opening partner in Hughes.  His sole failure came at Headingley, but had the luxury of contributions of others to amass a large first innings score.  A consistent achiever in the series.

Strauss-Although not the first choice captain within the select team, Strauss’ batting contributions have earned himself a place outright.  His three fifties and hundred are all the more impressive considering his exemplary leadership of an Ashes winning side.

Ponting-Despite being on the losing side, Ponting has lead valiantly, in light of a number of frustrating performances from his team and against the backdrop of home support which at times has been nothing short of bullying. Ponting has accumulated runs and scored vitally, in the crucial number three position.  The questioning has already begun regarding the future of Ponting’s captaincy, yet his performances have provided further proof of his legendary status within the game.

Clarke-‘Pup’ displays remarkable talent coupled with the desire to succeed, toughness and ability to ‘dig deep’.  Two hundreds and two fifties, and showcasing his aptitude against spin, Clarke is the future of Australian cricket, his succession of Ponting an inevitability, but when exactly is yet unknown.

North- A form player of the series finishing with a fine average of 52.42. North makes the middle order comfortably-Bell played fairly well, Pietersen was unfit, Hussey came to the party late, Bopara was unlucky but generally looked undercooked for the challenge.

Flintoff-His inclusion swayed by his spell at Lord’s and the option to contribute with both bat and ball. His inclusion in the England team lifted the supporters during this series and Merv Hughes commented that his presence ‘makes his teammates grow and arm and a leg’.  Flintoff provided inspiration, evidently missed at Headingley, and sentiment aside, deserves a place for this.

A tough choice for the wicketkeeper. Haddin started the series so well as he ‘slipstreamed’ the success of Katich, Ponting and North at Cardiff, with his 121 and a stubborn effort on the 4^th days at Lords in his partnership with Clarke, before succumbing to Flintoff on the final morning during ‘that’ spell. His glove-work has been very good.

But I would go for Matt Prior. He is not a batsmen of supreme talent, but he makes up for this fact by watching the ball and ‘going after’ bowling.  He displays toughness and the fighting qualities that are desirable in a lower order batter.  Whilst his keeping has been tidy and efficient, he has offered some spectacular and athletic work.  Prior has not exploded onto this series, and has not offered a magnificent innings, but he has contributed and arguably raised his game for the challenge of an Ashes series. Prior ‘digs deep’. An admirable quality, which England fans would hope he sustains.

Swann-performed consistently and took advantage of conditions at The Oval. The numbers do not do his efforts justice, and he has batted in his own ‘cavalier’ manner.  Hauritz was impressive, and in hindsight, should have played the final test, which proved to be a glaring omission. Hauritz is a competent and effective spin bowler, but is disadvantaged in succeeding the greatest spin bowler the game has ever seen, providing unfavourable and completely unfair comparisons.

Broad- a sensational Oval performance as he found form, along with an effective line and length to destructive effect.  This display must not be confused with the dusty, result-friendly Oval pitch. He bowled and batted well, contributing all series, it was a shame he bowled so short early on.  I would not dare place the moniker of ‘the next Botham/Flintoff’ upon Broad, but he is now England’s all-rounder.

Anderson-his action and wrist position exploited the favourable swing conditions that were found early in the series. His body language and demeanour slumped in light of performance and injury at Headingley, as did the England team’s-noted within the Langer Dossier, this must be corrected in the future.

Hilfenhaus-found swing and pace, top of the wicket-takers. A reliable bowling option who performed regularly, when needed.

The bowling options caused me most concern- Johnson was considered n the basis of his final wicket tally, of 20, but his form early in the series was dire, his body language betraying his lack of confidence.  His Oval performance allowed glimpses of his capabilities, of which he showcased against South Africa on bouncy pitches. Onions, impressive as he was, did not play a number of tests, whilst Clark, a perfect choice for Headingley was a poor selection in light of the Oval conditions.

If only Pietersen was fit, if only Lee was fit, they were not. If only Hauritz was selected for the dustbowl decider, he was not. The 2009 Ashes was not a series of individual brilliance, although a few stole the show fleetingly. Test cricket lends itself to contributions, meaningful and consistent, to mental strength and physical robustness, to digging deep at the most challenging of times.  My 2009 Ashes team of the series reflects this.

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England 332 and 373 for 9 dec beat Australia 160 and 348 (Hussey 121, Ponting 66, Swann 4-120) by 197 runs

On the fourth day of the deciding test England reclaimed the Ashes with resounding 197-run win over Australia.

England started the forth day of the fifth test seeking to break the back of the Australian batting line up if not completely bury it. Australia on the other hand, resuming at 0-80, sought to knuckle down and edge slowly towards the mammoth 546 that England had set it to win. It was England, however, who got off to the better start.

Strauss opened up attackingly with Broad and Swan and in just the third over of the day Swan dismissed Katich lbw for 43. Playing for the big spinning off-break, Katich shouldered arms to one that went on with the arm and was hit straight in front.

The very next over Shane Watson was also on his way, lbw for 40, after Broad managed to bring one back sharply off the seam. With Watson stuck on the crease Asad Rauf did not hesitate in raising his finger. The

With the newly arrived Ponting and Hussey at the crease and Swan and Broad brimming with confidence, Strauss surrounding the bat with fielders.

The story within the story at this stage was that of the fortunes of beleaguered batsman, Mike Hussey. The Australian selectors had chosen to stick with Hussey throughout a disappointing twelve months, in which the number four has gone 28 innings without scoring a century.

There was speculation before the start of the day’s play that selectors’ faith would run out in the event of another failure. However, Hussey survived through to lunch on 31. At the other end Ponting was starting to time the ball well just before the break and finished the first session on 44.

Shortly after the commencement of play Ponting brought up his fifty before offering a sharp chance to Collingwood at slip off the bowling of Swan. The ball flew and struck Collingwood on his boot and ballooned up behind him, however, he was unable to grasp the follow-up chance. Soon after, Hussey too brought up his fifty.

With Australia 217, Hussey pushed Harmison to Flintoff at mid-on and called Ponting through for a single. With Flintoff looking about as quick and agile as a front-row forward, Hussey did not hesitate in calling Ponting through. But beware the man playing his last test. Flintoff gathered the ball and skimmed the ball into the stumps and Ponting was left stranded while Freddie soaked up the applause, arms aloft.

Barely had the crowd had time to sit down after giving Ponting a standing ovation for what will most likely be his last Ashes test in England, when the stumps were again broken and the third umpire was again being called for. This time Michael Clarke was on his way.

Coming down the pitch to Swan, Clark had driven the ball into the boot of Alistair Cook at bat-pad. Clark continued down the pitch as the ball ricocheted to Strauss at slip who then under-armed the ball on to the stumps. Clarke did his best to get back in his crease but was not quick enough and was on his way for a duck.

England should have soon after had Hussey’s wicket too. After being shut out by Hussey for over three hours, Swan finally found the edge of the left-hander’s bat. The ball presented Collingwood at slip with the easiest of catches but he put it down. Collingwood, like everyone else in the ground, must have been wondering what the consequences of the grassed chance would be.

His nerves would have been eased a little however, when Marcus North was soon after stumped when on 10. After hitting Swan for a couple of boundaries, North tried to sweep Swan hard and when he missed Matt Prior did well to get his gloves back down quickly to break the stumps. With his weight on his outstretched leg North was unable to react quickly enough to get his left toe behind the crease. Umpire Bowden chose not to refer the decision to the third umpire, instead raising his crooked finger without delay.

Australia went to the tea break at 5-265. After the resumption of play Hussey notched up a defiant hundred, which will more than likely keep his position safe for the time being. Haddin and Hussey then pushed the score past 300 before Haddin decided to try and hit Swan over the fence but only succeeded in holding out to Strauss at deep mid-wicket for 34. With England into the Australian tail, it was only a matter of time before the urn was back in English hands.

Mitchell Johnson arrived at the crease and soon departed without troubling the scorers. Trying to force Harmison off the back foot, he nicked one to second slip, giving Collingwood an opportunity to make up for his earlier mistakes. Moving sharply to his right, Collingwood to a good sharp catch.

Siddell was the next out, ballooning a leading edge to Flintoff at mid-off and when Stuart Clark fended the very next ball to Alastair Cook at bat-pad Harmison was on a hat-trick.

The last wicket to fall was that of Hussey, caught by Cook at bat-pad off the bowling of Swan for 121 – the determined off-spinner finally getting his man. The England players were euphoric, the Aussies were all out for 348 and England for the second time in 4 years had won back the Ashes on home soil.

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England & Australia – marks out of 10 for The Oval

Here’s the Ashes 5th Test Player Ratings, Marks Out of 10

. . .

England

Andrew Strauss – 9

Did everything right from winning the toss to giving both England innings some backbone at the top of the order, and for making the brave decision to bowl Stuart Broad after lunch on Friday. On a personal level, he will be slightly disappointed with getting out to bad shots in each innings especially given his excellent conversion rate of fifties into tons. However, as an Ashes winning skipper, he probably won’t dwell on this for long.

Alistair Cook – 4

Failures in both innings concluded a disappointing series for the Essex man. He possibly needs some time out of the team to re-organise his game and missing the South Africa series may benefit him in the long term. It worked for Strauss, so maybe it could work for Cook.

Ian Bell – 7

Was under extreme pressure coming into the match with many observers feeling he was lucky to survive after Headingley. It is to Bell’s credit therefore that after a torrid start against Mitchell Johnson, he made the top score (72) in England’s first innings. Alas he failed to get his first Test century at number three (now 32 innings) and then failed in the second innings. Whether Bell is the long term solution at number three is still to be seen – a more dominant character such as Kevin Pietersen may be a better option.

Paul Collingwood – 5

The hero of Cardiff got out to a shocking shot in the first innings when England were on top, and was then caught at short leg off a Mitchell Johnson no ball in his second knock. Collingwood has not had a good last three Tests but the critics underestimate him and the selectors if they think this is the end of the road for the Durham man.

Jonathan Trott – 10

The brave decision by the selectors to select Trott paid off more then they ever could have imagined. Four years ago it was his fellow South African Kevin Pietersen who was the hero of the hour at The Oval. This time it was centurion Trott who took to Test cricket like a duck to water. He clearly has the technique and the temperament to have a long England career.

Matt Prior – 6

It was a disappointing match with the bat for the Sussex keeper being fooled by a Mitchell Johnson slower ball in the first innings and run out cheaply in the second. However, on a nightmare pitch for keepers he acquitted himself well with the gloves as shown with his smart stumping of North in the second innings.

Andrew Flintoff – 6

It was the perfect farewell to Test cricket for Freddie, although he didn’t make a significant contribution with bat or ball in the match. His brilliant run out of Ponting at a time when English nerves were beginning to get frayed is a fitting epitaph for a man with a knack of making things happen out of nothing. England will sorely miss Flintoff the bowler, the attacking batsman and the brilliant slip fielder.

Stuart Broad – 10

Bowled the spell of the series to effectively win the Ashes for England with his 5 for 37 on the second day. Broad also made useful contributions with the bat in both innings and seems to have become Flintoff’s anointed successor. If his bowling on Friday is anything to go by he could yet become England’s version of Glenn McGrath.

Graham Swann – 9

On a pitch that provided a lot of assistance to spinners, Swann bowled well in both innings taking eight wickets in the match. He also made an ebullient 63 in England’s second innings and with Flintoff retiring, won’t look out of place at number eight.

James Anderson – 5

Bowled tidily in both innings without reward but still struggling to shake off criticisms that he is ineffective when the ball isn’t swinging. On a positive note however, his body language was much improved from Headingley.

Stephen Harmison – 6

The Durham man only bowled four overs in the Australian first innings, but came to the party in the second innings taking take three wickets including Siddle and Clark in consecutive balls. He bowled with a good rhythm and real menace, and if he can be persuaded to tour could make a telling contribution in South Africa.

Australia

Shane Watson – 6

The makeshift opener got starts in both innings but was out leg before each time. Presumably Phillip Hughes will come back to open in the Australian summer, but Watson does look a decent batsman and should be able to find a position in the middle order where he perhaps would be better suited.

Simon Katich – 7

Batted well in both innings, but again failed to push on and make a big score. His fielding at short leg was exceptional with the brilliant run out of Trott in the first innings and exceptional reflex catch to dismiss Bell in the second particular highlights.

Ricky Ponting – 7

It cannot have taken long for Ponting to rue the decision to not pick a frontline spinner as he had to juggle an attack not suited for the pitch. Failed in the first innings but showed his class in the second until he was run out in a moment of madness. Without that run out, with both him and Hussey in control, who knows?

Mike Hussey – 8

Mr Cricket was drinking in the last chance saloon when he walked out to bat in the second innings. So the fact that he was able to deal with this, a dodgy pitch and the prospect of losing the Ashes and still make a fighting century was a credit to him.

Michael Clarke – 3

The best batsman in the series, along with Strauss, failed in both innings. His dismissal in the first innings driving against a wide ball from Broad was poor, although his run out dismissal in the second was both bizarre and unlucky. He stands a good chance of being captain for the next tour to England in 2013.

Marcus North – 6

Unlucky to be given out leg before in the first innings off an inside edge, but stumped attempting a sweep in the second. Bowled well in the England second innings, particularly for a part-timer, taking four wickets.

Brad Haddin – 4

Completely bamboozled by Stuart Broad in the first innings, he batted better in the second innings before a rush of blood led to him being caught at cow corner off of Swann. Kept tidily enough.

Mitchell Johnson – 6

Bowled with hostility in both innings on a pitch that didn’t suit him, particularly at the start of England’s second innings when he had Bell and Collingwood both caught at short leg. If he had started the series how he finished it at Headingley and the Oval, then it is probable that the Ashes would be going back Down Under.

Peter Siddle – 6

Bowled excellently in England’s first innings and is clearly one with a big future in Test cricket. Eventually the pitch got the better of him in England’s second innings.

Stuart Clark – 4

It was a mistake to pick Clark, one of the architects of the Headingley win, for this Test. Brett Lee and especially Nathan Hauritz would both have been better options on that surface. Tried his best and bowled a good spell at Strauss in the second innings.

Ben Hilfenhaus – 5

The bowler of the series had a disappointing game although he did pick up enough wickets to deservedly become the leading wicket taker of the series. This pitch was never likely to suit Hilfenhaus.

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England Win Back the Ashes!

England 332 and 373 for 9 dec (Trott 119, Strauss 77, Swann 63, North 4-98) lead Australia 160 and 80-0 trail by 465 runs

Trott and Swann piled on the runs for England setting Australia a mammoth 545 runs for victory. Trott becomes the 18th Englishmen to score a century on debut following in the footsteps of fellow teammates Ian Bell, Alistair Cook and Matt Prior.

The day started in sensational fashion as the first ball of the day saw a huge appeal call for caught behind. It looked out and Trott looked a guilty man too. However replays shows it flicked his back leg, producing a very woody sound.

Strauss soon brought up his 50, the longest of his England career; it was a testing time though, requiring a steely grit and determination that typifies the England captain.

Trott shortly afterwards brought up his fifty with a crisp whip through the on side. His timing impeccable as it would prove throughout his composed innings.

As the morning session progressed Strauss looked to up the run rate but played a really awful shot before lunch, flashing hard at a North wide ball pitching in the rough edging to first slip.

AJ Strauss c Clarke b North 75 (191b 8×4 0×6) SR: 39.26

It was a poor shot, but Strauss would have felt he had played England into a winning position. With the dismissal of Strauss the next South African came out to the crease to rub salt into the Aussies wounds. And some more Aussie wounds came as he drove hard at the ball hitting Ponting in the face drawing blood from his mouth. The morning session was a painful session for Australia as England led by 329.

Ricky Ponting came out onto the field with his troops looking as if he had eaten and smeared strawberry jam over his face, not exactly a medal of honour. But the joke was on Matt Prior who after an imperious boundary to get off the mark tried to sneak a single to the deadly Katich who deadeyed it into the stumps. Silly stuff by Prior, intelligent as ever.

MJ Prior run out 4 (9b 1×4 0×6) SR: 44.44

With Prior gone the roof came off the oval as Freddie entered onto the pitch to a standing ovation for the last time as a Test batsman. He decided to get on with it in typical fashion smashing his second ball for four.  He then powerfully pulled Siddle for another boundary. Advancing down to the wicket to North was next smashing him to cow with chants of “Super, Super Fred” echoeing around the stadium. The fairytale ending didn’t really happen as he skied North straight down deep mid on’s throat. It went down as an entertaining cameo all the same, swashbuckling as we’ve come to know and love.

A Flintoff c Siddle b North 22 (18b 4×4 0×6) SR: 122.22

In stepped England’s newest hero as Stuart Broad trotted onto the field to join the South African. A brisk innings pursued with the growing confidence exuding out of Broad hitting 3 4s off 4 balls at one point before falling to North.

SCJ Broad c Ponting b North 29 (35b 5×4 0×6) SR: 82.85

Graeme Swann came out guns blazing after tea with a license and smashed a quick-fire half century off 44 balls. England’s field day continued as he plundered boundary after boundary swinging the bat every which way but loose. The big hitting came to an end as he skied a short ball straight up, but what a knock it was.

GP Swann c †Haddin b Hilfenhaus 63 (55b 9×4 0×6) SR: 114.54

Whilst all the carnage was occurring Jonathan Trott, crept his way to one of the most sublime centuries you will ever see on debut becoming the 18^th England player to score a century on debut, following in the footsteps of fellow teammates Ian Bell, Alistair Cook and Matt Prior. What a debut. A moment he will saviour for the rest of his life. Such crisp strokeplay, mental strength, exquisite timing. The sound of ball on willow every time he connects reverberates around the ground. With a declaration looming he eventually starting swinging from the hip and eventually fell caught in the gully.

IJL Trott c North b Clark 119 (193b 12×4 0×6) SR: 61.65

With England setting Australia a daunting 546 runs to win the final passage of play went by with the Aussies rarely in trouble. Some chaotic running from Watson the closest England came to a wicket, a direct hit Bell would have seem him well short. They finished the day on 80 without loss. Simon Katich, “Katiche” as Warney likes to call him looks like England’s biggest hurdle to overcome, while the tourist have their own mountains to climb.

Brilliant Broad swings series decider England’s way

England 332 (Bell 72, Siddle 4-75, Hilfenhaus 3-71) and 58 for 3 (Strauss 32*, Trott 8*) lead Australia 160 (Broad 5-37, Swann 4-38) by 230 runs

In a fascinating series that has fluctuated both ways, the pendulum swung perhaps decisively to England on a dramatic second day at the Oval. An amazing 15 wickets fell as England closed the day 230 runs ahead at 58 for three in their second innings, with captain Andrew Strauss a resolute 32 not out. This should prove to be a decisive lead with the Oval pitch providing ample help to spinners and seamers alike. How Australia and Ricky Ponting must rue the decision to leave spinner Nathan Hauritz out of their XI.

The unlikely heroes of the day for England were the much maligned Stuart Broad, who took 5 for 37 in an unbroken 12 over spell, and Graham Swann, who took 4 for 38. Between them they demolished Australia, who collapsed from a comfortable 73 without loss to 111 for seven, before eventually succumbing to 160 all out, 172 runs behind England’s first innings of 332.

It was a remarkable turnaround from the start of the day when Australia cleaned up the England tail with the side adding only 25 runs to their overnight 307 for eight. Ben Hilfenhaus picked up both wickets. Firstly, he trapped James Anderson leg before for a duck. This was Anderson’s first duck in Test cricket in his 55th innings, which amazingly placed him behind only Clive Lloyd, Aravinda de Silva and A B de Villiers in Test history. Hilfenhaus picked up his 21st wicket of the series, when he had Broad caught at second slip by Ricky Ponting for another useful contribution of 37. Steve Harmison was left unbeaten on 12 raising his batting average at the Oval to a Bradmanesque 131.

At this point, Australia seemed the happier side as the total of 332 was much less than Strauss would have anticipated when winning the toss and having first use of what is normally an excellent batting strip. However, as the dramatic day unfurled it was to prove to be an excellent effort from England.

Australia’s confidence was compounded as they made a solid start in reaching 61 without loss at lunch, which came slightly earlier due to rain. Shane Watson survived a number of close leg before appeals whilst Simon Katich made a typically dogged start to his innings. Nevertheless, despite this good start, it was clear that the pitch was going to make life increasingly difficult for batsmen.

It was in the delayed afternoon session that the game swung back to England in a dramatic way. Strauss surprisingly opted to give Broad the ball. Broad, who many observers felt should have been dropped earlier in the series, repaid Strauss’ faith in spades by taking four wickets in his first five overs.

First Watson was plumb leg before for 34; the first time he hadn’t reached 50 in the series. Then Ricky Ponting (8) played on to one that nipped back and Michael Hussey continued his disappointing series being out leg before for a duck to one that swung back in late. Finally, Michael Clarke (3), the best batsman in the series so far and number two in the ICC ratings, was tempted to chase a wide ball outside off stump and debutant Jonathan Trott took a sharp low catch at extra cover. Incredibly, Australia had lost four wickets for 20 runs.

It didn’t stop there. Strauss, who had a great day as skipper, introduced off spinner Swann into the attack and he struck quickly having Marcus North (5) adjudged leg before. North was unlucky as replays showed that he got an inside edge on to his pad. That was 108 for five. In Swann’s next over it became 109 for five as Katich, who had just reached a patient 50, gave a bat pad catch to Alistair Cook. Broad then bowled the ball of the day, completely deceiving Brad Haddin and bowling him for 1. Australia was now 111 for seven, and had lost seven wickets for only 38 runs.

Swann then picked up Johnson, brilliantly caught by Matt Prior for 11, and Stuart Clark (6), wrongly adjudged to have given Cook his second bat pad catch of the innings. Finally, Andrew Flintoff, in his last Test, came back into the attack and ripped out Hilfenhaus’ (6) leg stump. Unbelievably, Australia had been bowled out for 160 and with a 172 run lead, England was firmly in the driving seat and the Ashes looked to be coming home.

Maybe not as the drama hadn’t finished there. After a sedate start, England had moved to 27 without loss – a lead of 199, when North had Cook caught at slip for 9. This completed a miserable series for Cook (series average 24.66) whose place may come under threat for the South Africa tour in the winter with Kent opener Joe Denly being called up for the one day series with Australia that follows this Test match.

Mitchell Johnson then bowled a hostile spell and had both Ian Bell (4) and Paul Collingwood (1) caught by Katich at short leg. Collingwood, the hero of Cardiff, has had an extremely disappointing last three Tests and it would seem that he misses Kevin Pietersen more than anyone. Suddenly England was 39 for three and Australia scented a chance to get back into the match. Thankfully for England, Strauss, holding the innings together again, found a willing ally in Trott (8 not out), looking very assured in his first Test, and England reached the close without further loss at 58 for three – a healthy lead of 230.

So, after a dramatic day, England seems to have one hand on regaining the little urn. With the weather forecast good, it will take a monumental effort from Australia to turn this one around. However, against a side including Ponting and Clarke, England will be looking to set Australia a target of at least 400.

Ashes 5th Test England v Australia Day 1

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