5 Ashes spells that completely changed the course of the match

Johnson bowled one of the most memorable spells in historyAs another installment of the greatest rivalry in cricket draws near, what better time to go back through the years and relive some of the most influential bowling spells in Ashes history? Big moments create big players, and there are no bigger moments with than the ball in an Ashes series than these 5 examples. Read on to reminisce on some great sporting moments, and get pumped up for the upcoming Ashes where the World Champions will take on England!

#5 Steve Harmison, First Test, The Gabba, 2006

Unlike the other four players in this list, Steve Harmison’s spell to start the first Test match of the 2006/07 Ashes series didn’t have a positive effect for his team, but it certainly set the tone for the course of the match! With hype and tension flying around the stadium in readiness for the summer of cricket to begin, Harmison ran in to bowl at Justin Langer, and delivered a shocking wide that was caught at slip by captain Andrew Flintoff.

Harmison turned in dismal first innings bowling figures of 1 for 123, and failed to take a wicket in the second innings. England never recovered from the horror start, being slaughtered by 277 runs in the match, and eventually lost the series as Australia proceed to torment them all summer long, claiming a 5-0 whitewash to reclaim the Ashes.

#4 Ian Botham, Fourth Test, Edgbaston, 1981

One of the finest all-rounders of all time, Ian Botham dominated the 1981 Ashes series so much with both bat and ball that the series is now known as “Botham’s Ashes”. There is no better example of just how good Botham was with the ball than in the Fourth Test at Edgbaston.

England were dismissed cheaply in their first dig for 198, and in reply the Australians produced 258. England then eeked out 219 in their second innings to set Australia 151 to claim victory. On the final day, Australia were 5 for 114 and looked likely to go on to win the match, when Botham stepped up and absolutely ripped through the lower order with an astonishing spell of 5 for 1 to win the game for England in surperb fashion. A true great of the game, there will never be another Ian Botham.

#3 Shane Warne, Second Test, Adelaide Oval, 2006

While Australia’s batsmen were chiefly hailed as the heroes following “Amazing Adelaide”, they have Shane Warne to thank for getting them in a position to launch an attack at an unlikely victory. After Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen obliterated Australia's bowling attack in the first innings to help post a mammoth total of 551, it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Aussies.

In return, Michael Hussey, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke came out and dominated with the bat for Australia, and after both teams had batted once England’s lead was whittled down to 38. As play began on the fifth and final day, England were 1 for 59 and the only plausible result seemed to be a draw. Suddenly, the “King of Spin” Warne produced a very special performance to tear England apart with a bamboozling spell of 4 wickets, including the famous ball that bowled Pietersen around his legs.

Due to the blonde legspinner’s brilliance, England’s last 9 wickets fell for just 60 runs, Australia were left 168 runs to get off 216 balls for an unbelievable win, and with the fantastic striking of Australia’s top order, the rest is history.

#2 Mitchell Johnson, First Test, The Gabba, 2013

After losing 3-0 to England in their own backyard 6 months earlier, Australia headed into the First Test in Brisbane keen on exacting revenge on the Poms. After the Aussies batted first and were bowled out for 295 on a good batting deck, it seemed as though England had the upper hand in this Test. Enter Mitchell Johnson. After a stint out of the Test team due to injury and inconsistent form, it was the engimatic Johnson who would bowl the final over of the first session on Day 2 which changed everything.

The left armed paceman claimed the vital wicket of Johnathon Trott just before lunch on the second day to have the visitors 2/55, and the Australians never looked back. Johnson went on to terrorise England in the remainder of the Test, taking 3 wickets in the first innings and 5 in the second to round out a matchwinning effort. The fearsome form of the rejuvented Johnson continued all series long, bowling with pace and aggression to take 40 wickets, claim man of the series honours as the Aussies belted the Poms 5-0 to return the urn.

#1 Andrew Flintoff, 2nd Test, Edgbaston, 2005

With England already 1-0 down in the series after a crushing defeat in the First Test, they needed to re-group quickly ahead of the Second match in Birmingham. At an important stage of the second innings Australia were ticking along at 0 for 47, attempting to regain control of the match, when Michael Vaughan tossed the ball to Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff. Already on a hat-trick from the first innings, the over that followed is now part of cricketing folklore forever.

Flintoff produced a peach on the second ball of the over to dismiss Justin Langer, bringing Ricky Ponting to the crease. Freddie set about tormenting the legendary Australian skipper all over, before dismissing him caught behind on the final ball. The over was aptly summed up by Mark Nicholas in commentary at the time, who quipped, “Flintoff has changed the whole feeling of the occasion.” How right he was, as this spell kicked England into gear, as they went on to reclaim the Ashes against the mighty Australians.