Gather around, cricket enthusiasts! We’re on a time-travelling escapade, rewinding the tape to revisit the nail-biting spectacle that was the recently concluded Ashes series. Under the banner of their valiant leader, Ben Stokes, our English knights were down, not two, but three battles. Yet they turned the tide, fought back with gusto, and would have won the war if not for the uninvited guest – Rain, who arrived with aplomb, leaving us with a tantalising 2-2 draw.
Picture this, the final day of the fifth Test. Chasing a formidable target of 384 runs. Our warriors were all charged up, their bats swinging like mighty swords, until a stellar second session of Day 5. The Aussie bowlers were relentless, but our bravehearts – Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes, retaliated, plucking out some vital wickets. And then, Stuart Broad, the veteran himself, dealt the final blows, marking an epic end to a glorious career.
Alright, enough of the suspense. Let’s dive into the performances of our knights during this historic series:
Top Order Powerhouse
Zak Crawley (8.5/10): Ah, the unstoppable right-handed hero! With 480 runs in his quiver from five matches, Crawley lit up the series, firing off a magnificent innings of 189 in the fourth Test – an innings that will be etched in Ashes history. And the cherry on the cake? A strike rate of over 100 in Test cricket, truly extraordinary.
Image Source – Skysports
Ben Duckett (6/10): Our southpaw juggernaut, Duckett had a decent series amassing 321 runs. His twin knocks at Lord’s, an edge-of-the-seat thriller, kept the Aussie wolves at bay, making it a series to remember.
Ollie Pope (3.5/10): Alas, the series was a grim tale for Pope, an untimely injury ruling him out of the Ashes after the second match. His departure opened the doors for Chris Woakes to step in.
Middle Order Marvels
Joe Root (8/10): The master of the game, Root, proved his mettle yet again, notching up 412 runs with an average that would make any batsman jealous. His return in the last Test was like a phoenix rising from the ashes, a masterful 91 helping England set a daunting target for Australia.
Image Source – Skysports
Harry Brook (7/10): Consistency was his game. Brook struck gold with four half-centuries, ensuring he will be a preferred choice for England in upcoming series.
Ben Stokes (8.5/10): The captain, the all-rounder, the lion-hearted Stokes. Despite some early setbacks, he led the team to a resounding comeback. With 405 runs under his belt, he proved why he’s one of the fiercest leaders in the cricketing world.
Jonny Bairstow (7/10): The wicket-keeper batsman, Bairstow, lived up to the expectations, with some dazzling catches and notable innings, a testament to his unwavering commitment.
Moeen Ali (5.5/10): The perfect adieu to a Test career! With crucial wickets and important runs, Ali certainly made it a memorable series, rounding off a remarkable career with over 3000 runs and 204 wickets.
Bowlers, The Fearless Guardians
Chris Woakes (9.5/10): Woakes was the linchpin of the bowling attack, scalping 19 wickets in three games. The final match saw him bag the Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades, cementing his place as a series’ hero.
Image Source – TheIndianExpress
Stuart Broad (9/10): The grand curtain call for Broad’s Test career was nothing short of fairy-tale, ending up as the second-highest wicket-taker in the series.
James Anderson (4/10): This was an unusual series for Anderson, claiming just five wickets. Nevertheless, our veteran isn’t hanging up his boots just yet!
Ollie Robinson (7/10) and Mark Wood (8/10): Robinson provided consistent support, and Wood troubled the Aussies with his pace and swing, making them a formidable duo.
Josh Tongue (7/10): The new kid on the block, Tongue, marked his debut by picking up five scalps, showcasing his potential to the cricketing world.
So, there you have it, the tale of the Ashes series where our knights fought bravely and almost reclaimed the urn. This was English cricket at its best, a saga of resilience, passion, and unforgettable moments!
