Ashes Rewind - Third Test 2005: Moments from Old Trafford, Manchester

Brett Lee (L) and Glenn McGrath of Australia celebrate after holding on to draw the match during day five of the Third npower Ashes Test between England and Australia played at Old Trafford on August 15, 2005 in Manchester

“You were outstanding in this game. Five or ten years ago, the Australians would never have been celebrating a draw against England as they are now.” - Michael Vaughan to his team in the huddle after Australia’s last wicket managed to draw the third Test of the 2005 Ashes Series.

Times have changed. The 2005 Ashes series was eventually won by England, ending their 17-year long wait, and marked the beginning of the end of Australia’s domination of the rivalry.

The series is remembered as one of the greatest ever to be played in the history of the long-standing rivalry and certainly is the reference point for a modern day follower of the cherished biennial event that is quickly becoming an endorsement for Test Cricket. It would have been an even better endorsement had Australia been more competitive at Lord’s.

The emotions ahead of the third Test at Old Trafford will be markedly different from those that were present during the 2005 series. The contest was as even as it could have been before the thirrd Test as England had levelled the series with a two-run victory at Edgbaston (that remains the narrowest margin in the history of the Ashes).

It’s the polar opposite this time around as England lead the 2013 edition 2-0, handing out a humiliating loss to Australia at Lord’s after a close contest at Trent Bridge. England are not just in pole position to win the series, the odds predict a whitewash.

But still there’s an excuse to revisit the best moments of the Old Trafford Test of 2005 as we head to the same venue on the August 1 this year.

Good Luck, Bad Luck

Unlike now when the Decision Review System is responsible for providing the kicks, it was all about the cricket eight years ago.

England were batting on Day 1 and ‘the pigeon’ ran in with his usual accuracy, floating deliveries in the corridor of uncertainty. He was able to exact an edge from Marcus Trescothick but it was soiled by Glichrist, who was going to have a particularly harsh day as he dropped another one that flew just over his head of Michael Vaughan’s bat as Geoffrey Boycott chuffed in the commentary box.

The very next ball from McGrath uprooted Vaughan’s off-stump but umpire Steve Bucknor called a no-ball. England returned the favour in the second innings as Geraint Jones let go off a stumping chance and a straight-forward catch to allow Shane Warne the opportunity to save Australia the blushes in the second innings.

Warne’s 600 Wicket milestone

Apart from scoring critical runs in difficult circumstances for Australia, Shane Warne could also hurl a few gentle leg-spinners. He was just one-short of the 600-wicket milestone and achieved the feat by dismissing Trescothick as he tried to attempt a sweep shot but only managing to nick it to Adam Gilchrist.

Warne was the first bowler to reach the milestone and was given a standing ovation by the sporting Old Trafford crowd. The applause continued till the end of the over and Warne acknowledged the respect by holding out the ball and waving to his fans. It is difficult to think of a greater moment of mutual respect. He finished the series with 40 wickets. Enough said.

Vaughan’s Ton

The England captain was in abysmal form coming into the Test match having scored 32 runs in his four innings, three of which were single-digit scores. He managed to turn that around, although with a dose of heavy luck, scoring a massive knock of 166 runs that set-up the game for England.

The innings was all the more special as it came against the likes of Warne, McGrath, Lee and Gillespie. The ground also witnessed his maiden Test century four years ago and it gave him, arguably, his most significant individual performance as he scored his fourth Ashes hundred.

Brett Lee draws blood

Literally. England managed a significant lead in the first innings but Warne’s gritty knock ensured that there was work to be done for the English with the bat in the second innings.

Andrew Strauss, who would eventually lead England to consecutive Ashes victories in 2009 and 2010-11, was struck by a stinger from Brett Lee, drawing a bit of blood from the opener’s ear. Andrew Strauss managed to get his act together and swashbuckled his way to a potentially match-winning knock.

Australia would have to bat out the entire last day to draw the Test match.

Andrew Flintoff’s Fiery Spell

Andrew Flintoff did a lot more than just bowl and bat on a cricket field.

Old Trafford closed its gate an hour before the start of the game as the ground reached its maximum capacity. The final day of the Test match promised to be a thriller and the very first bit of action prophesied the thrills that were in store for the day.

Matthew Hoggard exacted an edge from Justin Langer with an unplayable delivery with his very first ball of the day. Australia managed to steady the ship courtesy Ricky Ponting but Andrew Flintoff, the showman, produced a fiery spell in the post-lunch session, dismissing Katich and Adam Gilchrist in quick succession leaving Australia gazing at the possibility of defeat.

Ricky Ponting’s Dismissal

The Australian captain played out 275 balls on the last day scoring a magnificent century under pressure but was dismissed about four overs from the close of play, leaving the last pair to battle it out in the middle.

He edged a delivery from Steve Harmison targeted at his ribs that came at an uncomfortable length. The look on the face of the Australian captain just that second before he was given out was one of guilt and astonishment that quickly turned into shock and terror as he realized the gravity of the moment.

Fortunately for him, Brett Lee ensured that Trent Bridge was not repeated as he played out the larger share of the last four overs to ensure a draw for Australia.