5. ENGLAND RISE FROM THE ‘ASHES’ LIKE A PHOENIX, THWART THE AUSSIES 3-2

The Alaistar Cook led England side lacked confidence and self-assurance before going into the Ashes on home soil earlier this year. On the contrary, the Aussies, who were fresh from a successful World Cup campaign and a Test series victory in the Caribbean, were brimming with confidence and looked determined to retain the Ashes, which they clinched in December 2013 in home conditions. The series as it began to reach its conclusion, left many teary eyed as Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris decided to hang up their boots in international cricket. The 5 matches of the series were played at Sophia Gardens, LORD’S, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and the Oval respectively. The hosts overpowered their Aussie counterparts with a 3-2 score line. The then Australian vice-captain, Steven Smith finished the series with 508 runs, whereas England’s Stuart Broad scalped 21 wickets in the course of the long and hectic series. In game four of the series played at Trent Bridge, Broad recorded figures of 8/15- which happen to be the third best for any England bowler in an Ashes Test.