Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff and batsman Ian Bell appeared in an interview with BBC’s Mark Chapman ahead of the first Ashes Test between England and Australia at Cardiff. The pair shared their views on the upcoming tournament, aside from reminiscing the memorable 2005 Ashes, considered one of the greatest Test series’ of all time.
Before the 2005 Ashes, Australia had not lost the urn to their rivals for 16 years, the streak of which began with the crushing 4-0 win in the 1989 series. The Aussies were favoured to win the series by a 5-0 margin, especially because of their domination of world cricket during those years as well as the presence of several legendary players in the side.
After conceding a 239-run defeat in the first Test, England went on to level the series in nail-biting fashion in the second Test at Edgbaston with a narrow two-run victory. While the third Test ended in a draw, with Australia only a wicket away from defeat, England took the series lead with a three-wicket win in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge. The hosts went on to create history with a draw in the final Test, as the entire nation exploded with joy as the urn finally returned to their possession.