The Ashes 2023: Why is Ashes 2005 in spotlight ahead of Edgbaston’s Day 5 thriller?

The first Test of the Ashes 2023 between England and Australia has neared its conclusion, with the visitors needing 174 runs on Day 5 with seven wickets in hand. Stuart Broad took vital wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to turn the tide in England’s favour.

The ongoing series opener bears an uncanny resemblance to the Edgbaston Test, which was played during the Ashes 2005. Notably, the current Test is also being held at the same location in Birmingham. Here are the parallels between the two Edgbaston Tests, which were played 18 years apart.

1. England also batted first in the 2005 Edgbaston Test. In the first session, they were as aggressive as Ben Stokes’ men, who reached 124/3 in 26.4 overs at a strike rate of 4.70. England racked up 132-1 in 27 overs at a run rate of 4.89 at lunch during the 2005 Ashes Edgbaston Test.

2. England, headed by Michael Vaughan, finished their day and innings with 407 all-out in 79.2 overs back then. England declared at 393/8 in 78 overs in the Ashes 2023 Edgbaston Test. The team’s run rate was 5.03, which was remarkably similar to the 5.13 run rate on day one 18 years ago.

3. Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja combined for 14 runs before the first day of the current Test ended. This resulted in 407 runs being scored on Day 1 of both matches.

4. Former Australia pacer Brett Lee conceded 111 runs at a 6.52 economy rate in Australia’s first innings. Scott Boland took one wicket and lost runs at a 6.1 economy rate in the Ashes 2023 Edbaston Test.

5. Marcus Trescothick struck 90 off 102 in the England vs. Australia Edgbston Test in 2005, whereas Zak Crawley scored 61 off 73 18 years later. In the first inning, both batters had strike rates in excess of 80. Trescothick and Crawley were ineffective in the second half.

6. Ollie Robinson has been chastised for giving Khawaja an angry send-off. Robinson defended himself by reminding critics of Ricky Ponting’s sledge days. In the 2005 Edgbaston Test, Ponting sledged Andre Flintoff.

7. Justin Langer’s 14th 50-plus score in his last 23 innings came in the 2005 match. Similarly, Usman Khawaja recorded his 14th fifty-plus score in the last 18 innings of the contest. Their opening partners, Matthew Hayden and David Warner, were ineffective.

8. Ricky Ponting, the world’s top-ranked Test batter at the time, was out for a duck in the second inning. Marnus Labucshagne, the current Test number one batter, got out for a duck in the first innings.

9. Stuart Broad of England took two of the first three wickets in Australia’s second innings. Similarly, Andrew Flintoff had taken two of Australia’s first three wickets in the second innings.

10. In the 2005 Edgbaston Test, Australia was assigned a 282-run goal. Australia has been assigned the task of chasing 281 in the ongoing Test.

11. Back in 2005, Australia needed 104 runs to win the match. This time, they would require 174 runs.

England won by two wickets in the dramatic match 18 years ago. The outcome on Tuesday will determine if this is also included to the list of similarities.

Also Read: The 5 most legendary Ashes series of all time (cricfiles.com)