Mumbai: The high profile Ashes, no less than a barbecue festival for cricketers in England and Australia, starts July 8. The last time the two sides met, Australia won the urn back, drubbed England 5-0. Will England retaliate now that they are playing at home? Let’s have a look at few great Ashes moments that portray the competitive cricket and mind games.
Shane Warne’s magic ball (1993): The leg-spinner, barely a year old in the cricket circuit, announced his arrival with a drifing leg-spinner to Mike Gatting that upset his stumps. The superstar arrived with that delivery.
Michael Slater ton (1994): The Australian opener dominated on the first day of the first Test that season. It was Mark Taylor’s first, after taking over from Allan Border and what a start he had. The English bowlers were in a mess.
Ricky Ponting’s run out (2005): Gary Pratt – an uncapped player – was brought on by England’s then coach Duncan Fletcher for Simon Jones who went out due to an ankle injury. Australian skipper Ricky Ponting fell prey to his speed and reflex. Ten years have passed, Pratt is yet to make his England debut.
Andrew Flintoff – Brett Lee moment (2005): As soon as the last Australian wicket fell, with England winning the Test by two runs at Edgbaston, Flintoff walked up to Lee and bent down to shake hands and say a few words. Lee was unbeaten on 43, fighting a tough battle.
Monty Panesar – James Anderson’s fight (2009): The spinner and the speedster survived 69 balls for the 10th wicket and held on for a draw in Cardiff. While Anderson remained unbeaten on 21 off 53, Panesar scored 7 off 35.
