5 underrated Ashes performances over the years

The term, ‘The Ashes’ was coined in a satirical obituary published in the Sporting Times, a British newspaper, after Australia’s 1882 victory at The Oval, their first Test win on English soil.

The obituary stated, that English cricket had died, the body buried and the Ashes taken to Australia. The Ashes, one of the oldest rivalries in Test cricket is set to start in a few hours. Each and every year it throws up some amazing performances, which are remembered for a long time and also other gritty displays, which are oft forgotten, but play a huge role in shaping up the match and series.

Here’s a look at some underrated performances over the years:

1.Monty Panesar blocks out for a famous draw, Cardiff, 2009

Anderson and Panesar held out for a draw

Monty was already a folk hero going into the 2009 Ashes series, spinning out oppositions with his guile and turn. But he was elevated to a legendary status after putting up a formidable performance with the bat, helping England pull off a great escape in the first Test at Cardiff.

England were staring at a certain defeat at 127-6 halfway through day five, trailing Australia by 122 runs. Only Paul Collingwood and the tail stood between Australia and victory.

English hopes were dashed when Collingwood, fell with more than 10 overs remaining and only Panesar and Jimmy Anderson stood between a comprehensive win. As the overs slowly tickled towards zero, every dot was cheered loudly as a six. Panesar frustrated the Australians by showing pure will and tenacity. Australia’s search for a wicket grew frantic and they eventually fell short.

Monty and Jimmy walked off the pitch knowing they had achieved something quite special. And all the praise went to Panesar, and rightfully so, it was perhaps the best 7 not out ever played in Test cricket.

2.Ashley Giles partnering Kevin Pietersen for a draw, Oval, 2005

Pietersen hit the headlines, but Giles was the silent hero

Kevin Pietersen stole the limelight with a brilliant 158 to mark his arrival during the 2005 Ashes series. He was dropped twice during his five-hour knock. But it was Ashley Giles, who with a defiant 59, put the series beyond the reach of the Aussies.

Though Pietersen hogged the limelight and received fame for a second innings hundred, it was Giles’s patient 59 that provided stability to the partnership which proved extremely vital for the resulting draw.

After Pietersen got out, Giles stood his ground and set a target of 331. Australia had to achieve this total in just 19 overs but they managed only four runs, all being byes, to make it the only innings in the history of cricket where the total consisted only of byes. The game was called a draw and with it England sealed a series victory leading 2-1.

3.Gray Pratt runs out Punter, Trent Bridge, 2005:

Ponting walking back after being run-out

It is highly unlikely we will ever see Gray Pratt play a Test match, but he will go down in history as an English Ashes hero, for his pivotal role in an incredible series. Pratt’s direct hit to run Ricky Ponting out for 48, sent the Aussie captain into a fit of rage and made Pratt an instant celebrity.

Ponting was angered by England’s use of substitute fielders. He had a verbal duel with the English players after losing his wicket. Duncan Fletcher, the then England coach said after the game, “I smiled at Ricky, he didn’t smile back. He was in a terrible temper for some reason. Quite why, he was blaming me, when his partner Damien Martyn called him for a suicidal single to cover.”

Pratt, meanwhile, briefly enjoyed the high life, he made it to the celebration photo and supposedly stayed up all night drinking with Andrew Flintoff before meeting the Prime Minister. He also got a pair of boots and a signed photo from Ponting. Something he will remember for the rest of his life and truly an underrated performance.

4.Siddle’s birthday hat-trick, Gabba, 2010-11:

Siddle may not get a game this time

There are other presents and then there is an Ashes hat-trick in front of a home crowd. Peter Siddle experienced both of these in November 2010, as he celebrated his 26th birthday with a hat-trick. The pacer from Victoria first removed Alastair Cook with a good ball which shaped away and was taken at first slip.

He then sent Matt Prior on his way back with a full and straight one which sent his wickets crashing. This left Stuart Broad to face the pumped up Aussie speedster, who sent in a frightening yorker which struck him right on the toe.

“I’d like to say it was the plan,” said Siddle after taking the first Ashes hat-trick of the 21st century, “but I was looking to hit the top of off. To get him on the full with a bit of shape was a dream ball, I’ll definitely remember it for a long time.”

Broad asked for a referral, but the third umpire gave the red light and it sparked wild celebrations that nothing is likely to match as a birthday present. Most people have forgotten this amazing performance.

5.Ricky Ponting saves Australia from a certain defeat, Old Trafford, 2005

Ponting scored a crucial ton

Ricky Ponting’s knock of 156 at Old Trafford, during the 2005 series, was an embodiment of maturity as he batted tooth and nail for his country.

A classic captain’s innings, one of Steve Waugh proportions, this was certainly a major moment which set the tone for Ricky’s captaincy. Australia were totally outplayed and on the ropes in the third Test and Ponting stepped up to the plate and played a flawless seven-hour innings to save the Test and keep the series tied at 1-1.

The innings did not help Australia retain the Ashes, but it certainly helped mould Ponting into a better and hardened captain. He showed remarkable composure facing 275 balls during his knock, but he left the ground with some more work to do edging the ball to be ninth down and leaving Brett Lee and Glen McGrath to fend off 24 deliveries. He sat with his hands over his head in the dressing room struggling to watch the dying overs.

“I had a little tantrum and sat there with my head down,” he said. “I thought the game had slipped away from us.”

Thankfully for him, it didn’t.

Let’s hope this Ashes series throws up some unforgettable performances and some brilliant displays from lesser known players.