5 Most disheartening Ashes moments

The much-hyped and famed Ashes Test series between traditional rivals Australia and England kicked off at the Gabba in Brisbane. It is the most fiercely fought series between the two oldest Test playing nations and the action has always at the peek in the last 70 years. Both the teams have not backed down from opting for dirty tactics and game play to ensure a win. Ashes is remembered for some of the most inspired and memorable performances but it has seen the dark days as well. And while the 2017-18 series intensifies, we bring to you 5 most disheartening moments from the folklore over the years. 1. Leg Theory vs Bodyline Bert Oldfield is hit on the head by Harold Larwood bowling Bodyline at Adelaide in 1933. (Photo Source: Twitter) The 1932-33 Ashes series witnessed two new theories adopted by the teams that came into play. While England dubbed it as “leg theory”; Australia called it “Bodyline”, with a few select curse words thrown in. It is easily the most controversial tactic in Ashes, if not cricket, history. Designed specifically to combat the threat of Australian batting genius Don Bradman, the leg theory involved the ball being bowled toward the body of the batsman in line with the leg stump, hoping that any deflections would be snaffled by the quadrant of fielders waiting behind square leg. However, the new tactic proved costly for Australia’s wicketkeeper Bert Oldfield, who was knocked unconscious by a bodyline ball from England’s Harold Larwood. Following the incident, Aussie skipper Bill Woodfull had said: “There are two sides out there. One is playing cricket and one is not.” 2. Ponting throws his tantrum England’s substitute fielder, Gary Pratt became an overnight sensation during the 2005 Ashes series, when his dazzling direct hit ran out Australia skipper Ricky Ponting in the decisive fourth Test at Trent Bridge. But little did the Durham youngster know that he would found himself on the wrong end of a Ponting tantrum Clearly disgusted, the Aussie captain stomped off to the pavilion, firing a few expletives towards England coach Duncan Fletcher, who was sitting up on the balcony. Ponting, batting on 48, was bowled over by the hosts’ canny use of substitute fielders while giving their bowlers a rest. He was fined 75 percent of his match fee and the 23-year-old Pratt, who replaced Simon Jones, became a cult figure. 3. Steve Harmison delivers a woeful wide After a convincing 2-1 victory by the Lions in the 2005 Ashes, England headed to Australia two years later fully believing they could retain the crown. But the tone of the series would be set with the very first ball when Steve Harmison launched the ball so far wide of the off-stump that new captain Andrew Flintoff had to stop it at second slip. The delivery skidded off the pitch and flew into the hands of Flintoff at second slip, drawing raucous ironic cheers from the home crowd as umpire Steve Bucknor made a signal for a wide that was barely necessary. Ricky Ponting’s men eventually went on to inflict the first whitewash in the Ashes since the 1920-21 series. 4. Michael Kasprowicz gets the mother of all bad calls On the 8th August 2005, England hadn’t won an Ashes series since 1987. And after losing the first Test, it looked like they might have to wait a little longer – if they lost the second then surely it’d be over. It all changed at Edgbaston. But it shouldn’t have. England built a substantial lead and set the visitors a target of 282 to win. At the close of play, Australia had lost six more wickets and still needed 107 runs. English fans turned up on Sunday morning in a celebratory mood but were left disappointed by Michael Kasprowicz’s late stunt. The dogged defiance was as annoying as it was, quintessentially Australian. The Australian tail wagged and wagged until they were two runs from victory. And then it happened. Kasprowicz, trying to fend a Steve Harmison bouncer, glanced the ball into the overjoyed arms of Simon Jones. England erupted, but it was only later on that Kasprowicz was found to touch the ball with his glove while not holding his bat, rendering the umpire’s decision incorrect. 5. The Miracle of Cardiff Monty Panesar (facing) hugs James Anderson after the Cardiff Test. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Bowlers Monty Panesar and James Anderson defied Australia for 40 minutes to clinch an unlikely draw in the first Test at Cardiff in 2009. Earlier, Paul Collingwood had survived for 245 balls – five hours and 43 minutes in total – but it was the final pair who grabbed the headlines, as every dot ball was cheered by the capacity crowd. The tail-enders wagged and wagged some more, while the entire Aussie team was left in utter despair. The match eventually came to be known as the ‘Miracle of Cardiff.”

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5 Most disheartening Ashes moments

Ashes is remembered for some of the most inspired and memorable performances but it has seen the dark days as well.

5. The Miracle of Cardiff

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