Top 5 Ashes batting performances of the last decade

The Ashes have always been among the most fiercely contested series in test cricket. So much so that the current overall Ashes scorecard (69 Ashes series have been played so far) stands at 32-32-5. So, there’s a lot at stake in the upcoming Ashes, with the winners claiming bragging rights, until the next series at least.

Before THAT epic series of 2005, Ashes had been mainly Australia dominated for the preceding decade and a half. The last decade has been a bit more evenly contested, with England having the slight upper-hand.

But it can be argued, that this decade has given us some delectable contests in the Ashes and with it some supreme batsmanship.

Here’s looking at the five best innings played in the Ashes over the past decade. (6 Series’ have been considered for this article – From 2006-07 in Australia to 2015 in England)

Honourable Mentions

- Alastair Cook’s colossal 235* in Brisbane – 2010, which helped England draw the first match of the historic series, which they won 3-1 (England’s first Ashes victory in Australia in 15 years)

- Ashton Agar’s 98 on his debut in Nottingham – 2013. A No.11 batsman helping his team recover from 117-9 to 280, giving his team an invaluable lead of 65 runs.

Joe Root – 134, Cardiff 2015

The first test of an Ashes series. Fresh from a 5-0 whitewash, courtesy the alpha of test-match bowling, Mitchell Johnson. Typically murky English conditions. Team down in the dumps at 43-3 on Day 1. Enter Joe Root with a beautiful counter-punching innings that set the tone for the test, and the series.

Accompanied by Ballance and Stokes, Root took the aggressive route to nullify the threat of the Australian pace trio of Starc, Hazlewood, and Johnson. His 134 came off just 166 balls, and by the time he left the crease, the English team were at a stage from where they could dictate the terms of the match.

And they did, winning the game by 169 runs and Joe Root was, rightfully, adjudged the man-of-the-match for his effort.

Ian Bell – 109, Nottingham 2013

Ian Bell's class was visible in all its colours

Second innings tons, while setting a target, are always worth their weight in gold. In a match that was won by a mere 14 runs, it became doubly important.

Ian Bell produced that innings for England in the first test of the 2013 Ashes. Coming in to bat with the score at 56-3, and losing captain Cook with just ten more runs on the board, England were indeed up against it. Ian Bell grafted his way to a stubborn century, playing for nearly a whole day, and was dismissed only when the lead had risen to 306.

Given that Australia had scored 296 in their final innings, and that England scored just four more runs after his dismissal, Bell’s innings truly deserves a special place in the annals of Ashes history.

Adam Gilchrist – 102*, Perth 2006

Few innings measure up to the destructiveness of this Gilly century. The second fastest test century at that time, Gilchrist’s 59 ball escapade didn’t just hit the nail in the coffin of England’s Ashes sojourn, but further proceeded to bury that coffin deep, ensuring they can’t get back up.

Gilly spanked Panesar out of the park, slashed Sajid Mahmood to all parts of the ground, treated Hoggard, Flintoff & Harmison with equal disdain. It indeed was a picture perfect piece of a massacre. England went on to lose the match and go down 3-0 in the series, hence ceding their ownership of the Ashes.

But this Gilchrist Innings had done worse. It had mentally disintegrated the English, ensuring there was no comeback, as was evident in their meek surrender in the remaining two matches – guaranteeing a 5-0 whitewash. A once-in-a-generation innings from a once-in-a-lifetime player.

Kevin Pietersen – 227, Adelaide 2010

Before 2010-11, England had last won an Ashes in Australia in 1986-87. Since then, there had been an odd victory or draws, but Australia was dominant on their home turf. As England came into the 2010-11 series, they were branded favourites. But this was a game that was to be won in their minds, more than plain skills. After an insipid draw in the 1st test, thanks to a belter at Brisbane, both teams walked into Adelaide with their defences up.

Kevin Pietersen, in his indomitable style, ensured England struck the vital first blow. In the able company of Cook, Collingwood and Ian Bell, Pietersen counterattacked his way to a belligerent double ton, the highest score of his career.

Armed with a substantial lead of 375, there was no looking back for England in the series. They won the Ashes, 3-1, their first victory in Australia in 15 years. And the momentum for this significant achievement all started from this Pietersen innings.

Steve Smith – 215, Lord's 2015

England has become a tough country for Australia to play in, as they haven’t won the Ashes there for 12 years now. 2015 seemed to be following a similar direction as England won the first match comfortably in Cardiff.

Captain-in-waiting, Steve Smith, had different ideas as the teams headed to Lord's for the second game. Building a gargantuan stand with Chris Rogers, Smith kept collecting runs at a refreshing pace, even as Rogers made his way back to the pavilion. He speeded his way to a pompous double century.

Rendering the English pace attack toothless, Smith spearheaded Australia to an imposing total of 566, enough to lead them to a comfortable win. It was a statement of intent from Australia’s best batsman that he was ready to lead from the front, which did happen soon enough as Clarke retired at the end of the series.