Sep 8-12, 2005 – The Oval : In the fifth game, the English wanted only a draw, while Australia had to win to reclaim the urn. Vaughan won the toss again, and for the fourth successive time, batted first. Andrew Strauss’ century got them to 373, but the Aussies fought tooth and nail and were sitting pretty at 185/0 and 264/1, before they collapsed to 367 all out. An out of form Hayden got to a century that saw him save his place in the side for another three years or so!

England needed to bat a long time in their second innings to draw the game, but at 126/5 on the final day, it could have been anybody’s game. They clawed back with a Pietersen-Collingwood partnership, to 186/6, but with almost 50 overs still to be bowled, they were not yet out of danger. Geraint Jones left early, but it was the tenacity of Ashley Giles to go with the pugnacious Pietersen’s knock of 158 that saw them get to 335 all out, and clinch the desired draw to win the series.

And the Ashes!