Greatest Ashes Tests: No.10, Lord’s, 2005

Coming into the 2005 Ashes series in England, Australia were looking to continue their dominance over the old enemy, having held the urn since 1989.

Losers of eight Ashes series in a row, England had hoped to get off to a good start with a win in the first Test at Lord's.

And the initial signs were good on a thrilling first day.

Steve Harmison made Ricky Ponting regret his decision to bat first, terrorising Australia's top order with pace and bounce. The second ball of the match smashed Justin Langer in the elbow, Matthew Hayden copped one on the helmet, and Ponting himself was cut on the cheek not long after.

The Aussies lost five wickets in the first session as England made the most of the swing-friendly conditions. Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne offered some resistance, but Harmison’s five-wicket haul reduced the tourists to just 190 all out just before tea.

But as well as England bowled, Australia bowled better. Glenn McGrath absolutely tore through England's top order, taking the first five wickets – including his 500th in Tests – as the hosts crumbled to be 5-21.

Debutant and controversial inclusion Kevin Pietersen managed to get going, but England were 7-92 as an incredible 17 wickets fell on a thrilling first day.

No.11 Simon Jones chipped away at the deficit with 20 key runs, and got England to 155 before they were all out early on day two.

And with a lead of 35, Australia set about piling on the runs and putting the game out of England's reach.

When Pietersen ran Langer out for just six to have the Aussies 1-18, England’s hopes were high.

But for the only time in the entire series, Australia’s three to six batsmen all passed 40 with Katich, Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke all notching half centuries.

Matthew Hoggard managed to remove Clarke just nine runs short of his century, but Australia led by 315 and the tail hung around with Katich to set England what would have been a record target of 420.

Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss started positively and made 80 without loss, but Shane Warne and Brett Lee combined to take the next five wickets for just 39 to leave England reeling at the end of day three.

Pietersen was again offering some resistance, but England still required over 300 for the last five wickets, which would mean partnerships higher than they had managed all match.

Rain delayed the start of day four, but when play finally got underway at 3:45pm, it took Australia just 10 overs to wrap things up. McGrath was again the chief destroyer, taking four of the last five wickets as all four members of England's tail were dismissed for ducks.

Pietersen was left stranded on 64 to take his Test batting average to 121 after his first match, as Australia won by 239 runs to seemingly continue their dominance of the Ashes.

McGrath was awarded man of the match for his figures of 9-82, but Australia’s inability to remove Pietersen in key situations would become a recurring theme of the series.

1st Test, Lord’s, July 21-24, 2005

Australia 190 (40.2 overs)
Justin Langer 40
Stephen Harmison 5-43
Simon Jones 2-48
Andrew Flintoff 2-50

England 155 (48.1 overs)
Kevin Pietersen 57
Glenn McGrath 5-53
Brett Lee 3-47

Australia 384 (100.4 overs)
Michael Clarke 91
Simon Katich 67
Damien Martyn 65
Stephen Harmison 3-54

England 180 (58.1 overs)
Kevin Pietersen 64
Glenn McGrath 4-29
Shane Warne 4-64

Australia won by 239 runs