#3 The redemption song at Ashes 2015
Nothing feels sweeter than the taste of redemption, and Alastair Cook and his men returned the favour of a painful 5-0 white-wash in Australia with a 3-2 series win in the year 2015 with which they retained the Ashes.
In a highly contested series, England won the 1st Test by 169 runs, courtesy a Joe Root classic (134, 60). But Australia came back hard, with a massive 405-run win in the 2nd game. Steven Smith’s double century was too good for England, as they folded for 103 in the fourth innings.
The hosts took an edge by winning the third Test by eight wickets and didn’t let the advantage slip, as they flushed Australia’s hope with an innings and 78-run win in the fourth Test, which also saw the Kangaroos sent packing for a mere 60 runs, as Stuart Broad wrapped up his career best figures of 8/15.
Australia did salvage some pride by handing the hosts an innings defeat in the final Test, but the damage was done. None of the Test matches lasted for five days, and in a series that will be remembered mostly for some fascinating bowling spells, Cook’s calm headed captaincy made it a series to cherish for the England fans.
