5 of the lowest points for Australia in Ashes history

When one looks at the recent history of the Ashes, stretching back to around a quarter of a century, then there is no doubt that Australia have largely dominated the storied rivalry. That said, the Ashes is now a far more balanced rivalry ever since England's win in 2005.

Australia have had their fair share of disappointments over the course of this tournament that dates back to 1882 and some of them have been extremely gutting for the team and the fans alike.

Embarrassing collapses, crippling innings defeats leading to series losses and losing games from seemingly unbeatable positions, Australian teams have suffered through it all. Here is a look at 5 of the lowest points for Australia in the history of the Ashes.

#5 3rd Test at the Oval, 1896

This might seem a bit pre-historic since this match belongs to a different era but as far as Australia's low points in the Ashes are concerned, their capitulation in the 3rd Test at the Oval is right up there. In this 3-Test series, England won the 1st match, at Lord's, but Australia squared the series at Manchester, turning the game at the Oval into a decider.

Australia looked to be in control when they dismissed England for 145 in the first innings but they could score only 119 in reply. However, England were shot out for 84 in their second innings and Australia needed to score only 111 runs to win the series. That is when they suffered one of their worst collapses in history (3rd lowest of all time for Australia and 11th lowest overall) to be dismissed for 44 in 26 overs.

England's left-arm orthodox spinner Bobby Peale proved unplayable as the picked up 6 wickets and condemned Australia to one of their worst ever defeats.

#4 4th Test, Melbourne, 1986

Botham in action

When England arrived in Australia for the Ashes in 1986, the hosts were at their weakest, still in the process of rebuilding under Allan Border, following high profile retirements. England won the 1st Test match at Brisbane, while the next two at Perth and Adelaide ended as draws.

When the teams arrived in Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test match, Australia needed to avoid defeat in order to keep the series alive. However, the Test match was pretty much decided on the first morning after England sent the hosts in to bat.

Fast bowler Gladstone Small and Ian Botham combined to take 5 wickets each as Australia were shot out for 141 in the space of 54.4 overs. England responded with 349 and then Australia were once again dismissed cheaply, this time for 194, to lose the Test by an innings and 14 runs.

It was one of the lowest points for the young team as they lost an Ashes series at home. However, they recovered and went on to win the 5th Test at Sydney to restore some pride.

#3 4th Test at Melbourne, 2010

A moment from the 4th Test at Melbourne in 2010.

Ricky Ponting's last Ashes series turned out to be a complete nightmare and it was encapsulated by the debacle in the 4th Test, in Melbourne. England won the second Test at Adelaide by an innings but Australia roared back in the next Test with a 267 run victory, and with the series poised at 1-1, the 4th Test at Melbourne turned out to be a hugely important game.

However, the game was over for Australia on the first day after they had been put in to bat by England. Australia's batsmen couldn't handle Chris Tremlett's bounce and James Anderson's swing, as they collapsed to 98 all out in 42.5 overs.

England did not give them a sniff as they piled up 513 runs and went on to beat Australia by an innings and 157 runs. The hosts never recovered from that defeat and lost the next Test by an innings as well, as England recorded their first Ashes series win in Australia since 1987.

#2 3rd Test at Headingley, 1981

A win for England in the 1981 Ashes

The 1981 Ashes series in England will go down in history as one of the most memorable Test series ever played between the two sides and that is down to the events that took place in the 3rd Test of the series at Headingley.

Australia won the first Test at Trent Bridge with ease and after a draw at Lord's, the teams went to Headingley for the third Test. However, things were looking grim for England as they were forced to follow on after being dismissed for 174 in response to Australia's 401. Following on, Australia reduced England to 135 for 7 and it seemed that it was only a matter of time before they went 2-0 up.

However, Ian Botham, who was removed as captain midway through the series, played a stunning innings of 149 off 148 balls (27 fours and a six) and in the company of Graham Dilley, helped England score 356. Even then, the game was in Australia's grasp as they only needed to score 130 for victory. When they moved to 56 for the loss of 1 wicket, it seemed that they were heading for a 2-0 lead in the series. However, Bob Willis bowled an inspired spell to take 8 wickets for 43 runs, dismissing Australia for 111 and completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in cricket history.

That remains one of Australia's lowest points not only in the Ashes but in their entire cricket history. The team seemed shell-shocked after that loss and lost the next two Tests, before drawing the third, surrendering the Ashes in the process.

#1 4th Test at Nottingham, 2015

Stuart Broad running riot at Trent Bridge

When the two teams headed to Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in the 2015 Ashes, England were leading the series 2-1 and Australia were looking for a win to square the series. Considering the fact that England's pace spearhead James Anderson was not available, Australia must have fancied their chances.

However, things fell apart for them in the very first morning in quite spectacular fashion. After England sent them in to bat, local boy Stuart Broad ran through the Australian batting line-up in a devastating spell of swing bowling that saw Australia get dismissed for 60 in a mere 18.3 overs.

Broad picked up 8 wickets in his 9.3-over spell and Australia simply had no answer to his bowling. They were defeated by an innings and 78 runs to cap off one of the most embarrassing Ashes defeats in history. They managed to hit back with an innings victory of their own in the 5th Test, at The Oval, but still ended up losing the series.