The Ashes Greatest Moments Norman Underarm 8 July, 2009 - 4:12 PM

1. England Strikes Back -2005

England surprised the pants off everyone in one of the most exciting tours in a decade. Australia really didn't expect to get a run for their money. The series came right down to the wire with the result being decided in the last session of the final test. The Poms hung on to get a draw in that last test giving England The Ashes for the first time in 18 years.

2. Waugh's Last Stand - 2003

The Aussies were giving England 'what for' leading the series 4 test wins to nil. Captain Steve Waugh was being belted in the press for his bad form. Steve hadn't much luck with the bat and was under some extreme pressure when he strode to the crease with the score at 3 for 56. England might have won the last Test, but everyone remembers Waugh scoring a four off the last ball to bring up a well fought century.

3. Warnie's Hat Trick - 1994

This was the first hat trick in The Ashes by an Aussie bowler in 90 years. That's incredible. The pitch was starting to cut up rough into the fifth day of the Second Test at the MCG. Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough and Devon Malcolm became the latest bunnies in Warne's trap. The best part was that England ended up all out for a measly 95.

4. Warnie's Ball Of The Century - 1993

These were Warnie's glory years, a new spin bowler on the scene was about to blow cricket apart. Let's face it, spin bowling hadn't been considered very cool up until now, every young kid wanted to be pace bowler off the long run-up. Warnie ambled in to loosen up his arm, what happened next is now folklore. Mike Gatting was completely dumbfounded by the amount spin and just watched in slow motion as his off-stump rocked back and forth. It was Gatting that declared it, 'the ball of the century'.

5. Alderman Tackles Pitch Invader - 1982

Okay, not so great, but a memorable moment. The gentlemanly sport of cricket turned a nasty corner when hooligans invaded the oval during a Test between Australia and England. One of them gave fast bowler Terry Alderman a clip behind the ear as he ran past. What happened next is mind boggling, Alderman gave chase and rugby-crashed the scrawny fan into the turf. Dennis Lillee then applied the half-nelson and a new sport could have been christened, Contact Cricket. It never took off, but Alderman did dislocate his shoulder and missed more than a year of cricket. We still think it was a subversive ploy from the English camp.

6. Botham's Five For One - 1981

We loved and hated 'Beefy' Botham, from his portly figure to his supposed drinking prowess. We would have loved it if he was an Australian. Sadly he was batting and bowling far too well for the enemy. In one of the most amazing spells of bowling ever, Botham destroyed the Aussies. In a memorable 28 balls 'Beefy' took Five for One. We needed 151 to win, one minute we were five for 105, next thing, we were all out for 122.

7. The Centenary Test - 1977

The Centenary Test was played out at the MCG in the summer of 1977. It celebrated 100 years of great rivalry. There were some memorable highlights in a classic stoush, Rod Marsh became the first Aussie wicket-keeper to score a hundred and a young blonde-batsmen named David Hookes drew spontaneous cheers when he belted the not-much liked captain Tony Grieg to all parts of the MCG. The late Hooksey hit five fours in row as he helped the Aussies to a 45 run win, the exact same result as 100 years before.

8. Snow Gets Man Handled - 1971

It was the summer of 70/71 in Sydney, England had Australia on the run in the Seventh and deciding Test. The main offender has been fast bowler John Snow, who had been ripping the Aussie batsmen to shreds. Things turned nasty when he knocked down tail-ender Terry Jenner with a bouncer. When Snow went back to fine leg after his over, he was man-handled by an angry Aussie fan leading to a walk off from the English team.

9. Bradman Rolled For A Duck - 1948

Every cricket fan knows the story, it was the Don Bradman's last innings, he only needed a few runs on the board to achieve the incredible Test batting average of 100. Instead the English bowlers didn't follow the script and some geezer called Eric bowled him out for a second-ball duck. History now shows that the Don ended up with an average of 99.94. That final figure was often asked in citizenship tests for new Australians. It's true, we wouldn't make something like that up.

What's your favourite Ashes moment? Have your say now.

(5)

• andy says

  ball of the century was my absolute fave, just ahead of steve waugh making a hundred off the last ball of the day.

  what a moment.

  Posted Wednesday 8 July, 2009 8:33 PM
• sir matthew masterson the third says

  tally-ho old chaps. before 2005, no one cared about cricket. in 2005, cricket was all the rage.

  now? no one cares again.

  til we win again. tally-ho!

  Posted Wednesday 8 July, 2009 8:34 PM
• Garreth Handke says

  First hat-trick by an Aussie bowler in 90 years? What about Damien Fleming and Merv Hughes..? As mentioned in the commentary.

  Posted Thursday 9 July, 2009 10:28 AM
• Norman says

  Hey Gareth
  I believe they are only referring to hat tricks in Ashes Tests...

  Posted Thursday 9 July, 2009 10:46 AM
• Michael says

  Warnie's 700th wicket at the MCG in 2006 bowling Andrew Strauss for 50 when it was 4/101 and the crowd clapped because it was a good achievement

  Posted Tuesday 21 July, 2009 10:12 AM

• *Name:
• *Email Address:
• Phone Number:

  Please understand that by leaving your phone number we may call you and put you on-air!

• State: VIC SA NSW QLD WA NT TAS ACT International
• URL (optional):
• Remember Me? Yes No
• *Your comments:
•  
• *Security Code:
•  

  I have read & accept the Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use

   

  Please notify me by email when my entry has been posted

•   Post your comment