Ashes 2005: How One of Most Thrilling Series of All Time Unfolded

Thursday sees England and Australia playing an Ashes clash at Lord's 10 years after one of their most memorable series started at the 'home of cricket'.

Below AFP Sport looks back at a thrilling Ashes campaign. (How England's Ashes Rivalry With Australia Shapes a Cricket Fan's Life)

1ST TEST, LORD'S - AUSTRALIA WON BY 239 RUNS

England make a stunning start to the series with fast bowler Stephen Harmison taking five wickets as Australia are dismissed for 190 only for the hosts to concede a first-innings lead of 35 runs despite a debut fifty for Kevin Pietersen.

Glenn McGrath, so long a thorn in England's side, takes nine wickets in the match with Pietersen's second innings 64 not out the only sign of home resistance in the second innings. (Watson Faces Axe as Australia Seek to Level Ashes)

2ND TEST, EDGBASTON - ENGLAND WON BY TWO RUNS

There is drama in this most dramatic of matches even before it starts when McGrath is ruled out after treading on a stray cricket ball during practice on the morning of the game's first day.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting, surprisingly fields first only for Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss to respond with a century opening stand.

Matthew Hayden is out for a duck as Australia end up 99 runs adrift on first innings, only for England in turn to be bowled out for 182, with leg-spin great Shane Warne taking six wickets despite a dashing 73 from Andrew Flintoff.

All-rounder Flintoff then takes four wickets only for Australia's last two partnerships to add 104 runs.

But just three runs away from a remarkable win, Australia No 11 Michael Kasprowicz is given out caught down the legside by wicket-keeper Geraint Jones after gloving Harmison.

The abiding image of the match, and perhaps the series, is the sight of Flintoff consoling not out batsman Brett Lee.

3RD TEST, OLD TRAFFORD - DRAWN

Vaughan, bowled off a fit-again McGrath no-ball, makes a superb 166 and Australia, despite Warne's 90, concede a first-innings lead of nearly 150 as reverse-swing specialist Simon Jones takes six wickets.

Strauss's second-innings hundred sees England declare on 280 for six but on a thrilling final day Ponting compiles a majestic 156 only to be out shortly before the close. Lee and McGrath deny England victory as Australia cling on for a draw with just one wicket standing.

4th TEST, TRENT BRIDGE -- ENGLAND WON BY THREE WICKETS

Flintoff produces one of his best Test innings in making a century in a first-innings total of 477.

Simon Jones takes five wickets as Australia are dismissed for 218 and then find themselves batting again as Vaughan enforces the follow-on.

Ponting reacts furiously after being run out by substitute fielder Gary Pratt who, in contrast to many times during the series, is legitimately on the field in place of injured paceman Jones.

England, set just 129 to win, suffer another Warne-induced collapse as seven wickets go down before Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard put them 2-1 up with one to play.

5TH TEST, THE OVAL - DRAWN

Strauss's hundred can't disguise the fact that first-innings total of 373 is a below-par total after England win the toss in good batting conditions.

Interruptions for rain and bad light hamper Australia's progress despite hundreds from Justin Langer and fellow opener Hayden.

Flintoff bowls England into a first-innings lead with a five-wicket haul only for his side to suffer a last-day collapse, with Australia's fast bowlers skittling several top-order batsmen out cheaply before Pietersen, dropped by Warne at slip on 15, plays an extraordinarily audacious innings of 158, his maiden Test hundred, to secure a series-clinching draw.