Ashes Flashbacks #3: 2005
HERE it is – the dawning of a new era in which England are the best cricket team in the world
So said Sir Ian Botham after the conclusion of the Oval test match and the reclaiming of the Ashes, for the first time since Andrew Flintoff was knee-high to a pedalo. So earth-shattering was this victory that “proper” news was pushed off the front pages, people danced in the streets as if world peace had been achieved and even Paul Collingwood’s performance (17 runs, 1 catch, 4-0-17-0) was considered worthy of an MBE. In short, England went potty.
Here’s what actually happened:
Despite a good start, England were thoroughly outplayed in the 1st test, losing by 239 runs. Glenn McGrath took 9-82 as England were bowled out for 155 and 180. That they were able to fight back and win the series 2-1 was due to plenty of luck (McGrath’s injury before the 2nd test, poor Australian catching in the 3rd) and the strength of their bowling attack.
Although Australia could still boast McGrath and Warne, the rest of their attack was not nearly as strong. Simon Jones and Flintoff made superb use of reverse swing, allowing England to keep the Australian batting under pressure when the ball was old. They deserved to win, but it was mighty close and could easily have gone the other way.
Several years earlier, the ECB had vowed to turn England into the no1 test nation by 2007 (and win the World Cup in the same year). The Ashes represented a good start, a foundation from which to press on and create a dynasty for years to come.
In reality all of England felt that, having beaten Australia in one series, they had achieved their aim two years early. English cricket hit the snooze button.
The result was that they went to Australia in 2006/7 thoroughly under-prepared and were humiliated, losing all 5 tests. Since then the team has continued to muddle along, losing to India (twice), Sri Lanka, South Africa and West Indies. They have tried four test captains and three coaches, have had dressing-room dis-harmony, front-page scandal, administrative mis-management and more.
Despite all of this, Australia’s decline (through retirement rather than incompetence) means that the Ashes this summer could still be close. But the following lesson should be learned from 2005: if we are successful, it will be by small margins and percentages, the uncontrollable variables. We should not get carried away!
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