How the Ashes were won and lost
From Ian Bell's three centuries to Michael Clarke's declarations - a look back at the key moments from the series.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: August 26, 2013 03:31 PM IST
Sunday's dramatic draw in the Ashes finale at The Oval saw England wrap up a 3-0 Test series win over Australia as they retained the urn ahead of the return campaign 'Down Under' starting in November.
Below are the key moments of an intriguing series.
Jul 10-14: First Test, Trent Bridge -- England won by 14 runs
England could manage a mere 215 in their first innings before Australia collapsed to 117 for nine only for teenage debutant Ashton Agar to score 98 -- a world record for a Test match No 11.
Ian Bell's hundred saw England to 375 and although another last-wicket stand took Australia close, paceman James Anderson completed a 10-wicket match haul on a thrilling last day as the hosts went 1-0 up.
Jul 18-21: Second Test, Lord's -- England won by 347 runs
This thumping win effectively sealed the destiny of the series as no side had come from 2-0 down with three to play to win an Ashes in 76 years.
Bell's second successive hundred and Joe Root's Test-best 180 gave England runs to play with, whereas Australia's first innings collapse to 128 all out was well below standard on a good pitch.
England off-spinner Graeme Swann proved his worth with a nine-wicket return in the match.
Aug 01-05: Third Test, Old Trafford -- Match drawn
Australia bounced back as captain Michael Clarke led the way with 187 in a first-innings total of 527 for seven declared. Kevin Pietersen's 113 spared England the follow-on but they were struggling at 37 for three in their second innings when rain ended play on the final day.
Aug 09-12: Fourth Test, Chester-le-Street -- England won by 74 runs
Australia were well-placed at 168 for two chasing 299 to win on the fourth day but collapsed to 224 all out as England fast-medium bowler Stuart Broad produced an inspired spell of six wickets for 50 runs.
Earlier, Australia's Chris Rogers scored his maiden Test hundred while Bell compiled his third century of the series.
Aug 21-25: Fifth Test, The Oval -- Match drawn
Australia piled up on 492 for nine declared on the back of Shane Watson's Test-best 176 and Steven Smith's 138 not out, his maiden Test hundred.
England then batted slowly, in a match where the whole of the fourth day was washed out, before avoiding the follow-on on Sunday's final day.
Clarke, trying to force a win, declared at tea on 111 for six to leave England 227 to win in 44 overs.
Fifties from Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen took England close before, with the hosts needing 21 for victory from the last 24 balls, the umpires took the players off the field for bad light to the dismay of a capacity crowd.