Published 12:41 IST, September 18th 2019
England vs Australia: All You Need To Know About The 2019 Ashes Series
England won the fifth Test match by 135 runs to level the Ashes 2-2. To learn about all the events that transpired this closely-fought series, read more
- SportFit
- 3 min read
The 2019 edition of Ashes also launched the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. Australia, having won the previous Ashes in 2017-18 4-1, started off this series as defending champions. In what was one of the most closely fought series between two titans in recent memory, both team fought tooth and nail to share the honours 2-2 after the five matches. Steve Smith, after completing his one-year ban from International cricket, made a grand comeback to the game’s longest format. Smith in his usual run-scoring spree, scored 774 runs in four Tests with three centuries including a match-winning double-ton at Old Trafford.
Highlights From The Ashes 2019 Series
1st Test
Australia, batting first, scored 284 in their 1st innings while England, riding on Joe Burns’ 133 scored 374. Visitors, with a 1st innings deficit of 90, scored 487-7d in their 2nd innings to set-up a target of 398. The English line-up folded out for 146, thus handing over a 1-0 lead to their rivals. Australian middle-order batsman Steve Smith, with scores of 144 and 142 was named ‘Man of the Match’.
2nd Test
With a 1-0 lead, Australia won the toss and decided to field. England gained a paltry 8-run lead in their 1st innings. In the 2nd innings, England sportingly declared at 258, thus setting up a Day 5 target of 267. Australia batted for 47.3 overs and scored 154-6 to draw the Test.
3rd Test
Australia, scoring 179 bundled out England for just 67 on Day 1. Visitors stretched their lead further, leaving the home side with a target of 359. At 286-9, Ben Stokes repeated his World Cup final heroics and registered an unlikely win for England. With the victory, both teams were now tied at 1-1 after three matches.
4th Test
Smith’s double hundred propelled his side to a huge 497-8 d. Australia, after gaining a196-run lead, set up a 383-run target for England. Cummins’ 4-43 decimated the English line-up as the home side fell short of the target by 185 runs. Smith, with scores of 211 and 82, was adjudged as ‘Man of the Match’.
5th Test
Going into the final Test with a 2-1 lead, Australia were behind with a 69-run 1st innings deficit. In England’s 2nd innings, the home side scored 329 to set a target of 399. Matthew Wade’s 117 went in vain as England won the match by 135 runs. The series ended with a 2-2 draw with Australia retaining the Ashes Urn.
Updated 18:56 IST, September 18th 2019