The world of sports is full of events that not only entertain fans but also offer moments of pure magic as well as some heartbreak.
The Ashes series between two traditional cricket rivals England and Australia is undoubtedly a spectacular event due to its intensity, history, background and culture.
The Ashes 2023 is expected to enthrall the fans with nerve-wracking stuff.
Meanwhile, coming to the historical background, the term ‘Ashes’ was used for the first time in 1882 when England lost by seven runs to Australia at the Oval after failing to chase down a target of 100 runs on home soil.
The Sporting Times declared this defeat as the death of the English team. “The body will be cremated and the ashes will be flown to Australia,” reported the Sporting Times.
On the other hand, much has been written about the 143-year history of the Ashes series since 1882. In this part, 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 scoring runs, England, before the 1932-33 series, adopted a fast-leg strategy known as ‘The Bodyline’.
The controversial and dangerous technique saw the bowlers bowl directly at the bodies of the Australian batters forcing them to protect their bodies with the bat and take catches on the leg side.
Although England won the controversial series and Bradman managed just one century, this approach led to heated debate.
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had to change the law to limit the number of fielders on the leg side.
However, Australia regained the Ashes in 1934, winning the closely fought series 2–1 and retained it until 1954.
Bradman’s farewell
The 1948 series brought the curtain down on Don Bradman’s illustrious career after enshrining his name among the greatest batsmen of all time.
In just 52 Tests, the run-machine master scored 6,996 runs at a staggering average of 99.94 with a record number of 29 centuries and 12 double tons.
In his last match at the Oval, he needed just four runs to reach a 100 average but was dismissed for a run off the second ball, as the entire ground stood to applaud the talent.
Botham, Stokes Headingley heroic
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 apply the follow-on.
But it looked like the stage was set for Botham to display his prowess with both bat and bowl and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
England on the brink of defeat with seven batsmen in the pavilion for just 135 runs, rescued Botham, who played an innings of pure class, scoring 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 a knock in which he showed endurance, indomitability and brutal hitting. Chasing 359, Stokes made the difference as wickets fell in quick succession.
At the last wicket, England needed 67 but Stokes kept his cool and kept most of the strikes while hitting ruthlessly when needed. He smashed Pat Cummins for four and finished the game with the determination of a child bowler.
Power of Australia
Under Mike Gatting, England won the 1985 series 3–1 and the 1986–87 series in Australia 2–1.
But, after the 1989 series, the Aussies had a humiliating time, having already replaced the West Indies as cricket’s powerhouse after winning the 1987 World Cup, winning eight consecutive series. Out of the eight series, the Aussies 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 turned Australia into an unbeaten power under the leadership of Steve Waugh.
The win-loss ratio remained almost the same until the 1989 series. But Australia’s dominance took the margin to 115 to England’s 87.
2005 Epic
The 2005 Ashes series can be called a ‘game-changer’ for England. An inexperienced team led by Michael Vaughan punched above their weight and ended their 19-year Ashes winning streak with a 2-1 defeat to the mighty Australians at home.
The series saw moments of individual brilliance, close-fought, heated exchanges of words and sportsmanship between players from both sides.
England won both Tests by the closest margins, the second by two runs and the fourth by three wickets as Andrew Flintoff emerged as the star. His heroics have given new impetus to a moribund sport in a football-mad nation.
However, in the next series in 2006-07, Australia took revenge by securing a whitewash. Legends including Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath retired after the series.
England win in Australia
After winning the 2009 series 2–1 at home, a high-on-confidence England contested the 2010–11 series in Australia.
They did what no one else could have imagined: won 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 Andrew Strauss led England overcame the challenges to win the series 3-1.
The star performer for them was Alastair Cook. He showed heroic and unwavering resistance to Willow in challenging situations. Cook scored 766 runs with three centuries and a top score of 235 not out.
Destruction from Johnson
Mitchell Johnson, who has been an injury-hit bowler since his debut in 2007, touched his peak when he was at the top of his business in the 2013-14 Ashes series. He helped Australia regain the ‘Arn’ with a 5-0 whitewash.
During the series, the former left-arm pacer was a nightmare for England’s batsmen, who were clueless against the barrage of his sharp bouncers.
He took 37 wickets during the series and was declared man of the match, displaying some ferocious pace bowling rarely seen in this batter-friendly era.
