An Ashes Series like No Other
With the international ticket ballot now open and the chance to watch the return of England Cricket at Emirates Old Trafford in 2024, re-live the key moments from this summer’s monumental Ashes series.
This summer, England and Australia treated us to a spellbinding spectacle, which reached a riveting climax on the final day of the five-match series.
In the spirit of Ben Stokes' side's fearless approaching to batting, here we take a look at six defining moments that made this Ashes series truly unforgettable.
Crawley hits first ball of series for four
In the summer of 2023, the Ashes series began with a bang. Zak Crawley, in a series hyped like no other, smashed the first ball through the covers for a boundary. This audacious stroke left captain Ben Stokes stunned and ignited the Edgbaston crowd.
In the second over Crawley hit another four through square leg, making history as England became the first team to hit fours off both of Australia's opening bowlers in an Ashes series.
In a matter of moments, Crawley's breath-taking start set the tone for a summer filled with cricketing drama and excitement, and left a lasting impression of how England would go on to play.
Cummins and Lyon cash-in on Stokes' early declaration
In a Test match that will be etched into cricketing lore, the First Test witnessed a gripping climax at Edgbaston. England stood on the brink of victory with Australia at 227-8, chasing 281. But dismissing the tailenders, who were determined to win, proved tricky.
Australia's Captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon capitalised on England's inconsistent bowling and orchestrated a comeback reminiscent of the iconic Ashes encounter in 2005 that saw local hero Freddie Flintoff famously console Brett Lee in the middle.
Cummins and Lyon saw Australia home as England were left to think what might have been. Ben Stokes's early declaration on day one proved to be a decision that will be remembered as one of the great ‘what might have been’ moments in Test Match history.
Bairstow’s bizarre run out
On the final day of the second Ashes Test at Lord's, a truly peculiar moment unfolded that will be etched in cricketing memory years to come. With England at 193-5, chasing 371, Jonny Bairstow walked to the crease with the tall task on steering them towards victory.
Bairstow had faced 22 balls for 10 runs when he left his crease after the last ball of the 52nd over, without confirming that the over had ended and the ball was declared dead. Alex Carey, the Australian wicketkeeper, capitalised on the opportunity, throwing the ball at the stumps, resulting in bewildered Bairstow being run out.
Although it sparked debates about sportsmanship, Bairstow's oversight was apparent. The Lord's crowd expressed their displeasure with chants of "Same old Aussies, always cheating,", and Stuart Broad, the next batsman in, engaged in humorous exchanges, asking the umpire if he could leave the crease.
In the end, this bizarre incident added an unexpected twist to an already dramatic Test match, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the game. England ultimately lost by 43 runs following despite a heroic innings of 155 from Stokes.
Wood and Woakes Re-Energise England
After losing the first two Tests, England needed a boost, particularly in the bowling department. Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, both drafted in for the third Test, proved to be a game-changer. They took 33 wickets in the remainder of the Ashes at averages of 18.16 and 20.21, respectively.
Wood's explosive batting and Woakes's lower-order stability were crucial. In the first innings, they dismantled Australia, taking 8 of 10 wickets. In the second, they limited Australia to 224 all out, taking half the wickets. Their versatility brought potency to England’s attack and saw them claim13 wickets and added 82 runs.
Harry Brook's 75 runs may have brought England close to victory, but Woakes and Wood were the real heroes at Headingley.
Crawley’s innings for the ages
The zenith of the series was undoubtedly Zak Crawley's spectacular 189 in the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford.
Crawley's brilliance came to the forefront on day two, where he masterfully dismantled the Australian attack. He blazed a trail with 21 fours and three towering sixes, guiding England to their best batting performance of the series as they amassed 384-4 in just 72 overs. The partnership between Crawley and Root was nothing short of magical, yielding a double-century at a blistering run rate.
Crawley's innings was a testament to his ability to deliver the extraordinary. Sadly, England’s dominance in the Test Match was curtailed by the Manchester rain but neither side were in any doubt as to who was in the ascendency heading to the Oval for the final Test.
Broad bows out in style
In a remarkable finale to an exhilarating series, England's stalwart fast bowler, Stuart Broad, surprised cricket fans by announcing his retirement on the eve of the final Test. It was a script that seemed perfectly penned for a player who thrives in the grandest of cricketing moments.
Broad, renowned for his knack for creating drama, didn't disappoint. He took the final two wickets of the match, employing his signature move of swapping the bails to summon favourable fortunes.
The electrifying Ashes series deserved an equally thrilling conclusion, and it got precisely that. England mounted a fierce comeback to secure a 49-run victory at the Oval, levelling the series. Broad's farewell performance was nothing short of spectacular, with his penultimate act yielding a crucial wicket, and his final delivery marked his 604th Test wicket.
It was a fitting conclusion for both Broad and England, and it denied a formidable Australian team the triumphant moment that would have etched their legacy in history.
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The Three Lions welcome Sri Lanka (Test Match, Wednesday 21 - Sunday 25 August 2024) and Australia (IT20, Sunday 15 September 2024) to Emirates Old Trafford next summer with the ticket ballot now open and seats in high demand.
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The Ballot will run from Wednesday 30 August until Thursday 5 October 2023.