5 Unforgettable Ashes encounters at Trent Bridge

5 Unforgettable Ashes encounters at Trent Bridge: Every cricket ground has its own rich legacy which is endowed with some distinctive tradition which is there for centuries. The Trent Bridge cricket ground which is situated near the River Trent has been a delightful host of International matches since 1899. It is the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and Notts County Football Club. From the introduction of Radcliffe Road and Fox Road stands in the ground to being the most cherished English venue for post-drinks, the elegance and flair of the ground has transformed it into one of the most attractive sights in England. When we talk about cricket, then classic encounters have epitomized the ground for centuries. Especially, whenever there has been a clash of titans between the oldest rivals of the game, England and Australia. On the eve of the Fourth Investec Ashes Test match at Trent Bridge which will begin from Thursday, CricTracker presents the 5 Unforgettable Ashes encounters at Trent Bridge: 1. 2013- Edge of the seat thriller: From a no. 11 player plundering 98 runs to a player edging to the slip and not being given out to England’s victory by only 14 runs, this Ashes Test of 2013 was a stellar encounter which will be there in our memories for decades. When the unknown prodigy Ashton Agar, who was selected to solve Australia’s spinning riddle missed his ton only by 2 runs in his debut innings, even the English fans felt the grief of the man. The highlight of England’s 2nd innings was Ian Bell’s coming of the age century as well as Broad nicking to first slip only to be reprieved by Aleem Dar which blotted Broad’s name. From 231/9 to 296/9, the Australian’s looked set to chase down 311 runs. The nail-biting match was surrounded by the pounding heart-beats of the fans. But, heroics of Anderson outwitted Haddin’s (71) vigil at the crease and English side triumphed to victory by 14 runs. Anderson took 10 wickets in the match. 2. 2005- Return of the Urn: Ashes 2005 4th Test. (© Getty Images) It took 8 unsuccessful attempts over 16 long years in English history before this victory, which earned England a decisive lead of 2-1 in the Ashes 2005 series and eventually they won back their beloved Urn. ALSO READ: 2005 Ashes: The rebirth of English Cricket The highlight of the match was the glorious efforts of Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones who got their respective century and fifer in the first innings of the match after which Australian’s were always on the back foot. The sight of a furious Ponting shouting after getting run-out by a substitute summed up the Aussies emotions. Chasing a target of 129 runs, the English side had its frightening moments as Lee and Warne came hard on the batters. But, somehow England sneaked a 3-wicket victory from the jaws of a scary defeat and the whole UK knew that now nothing could stop them from the elusive Ashes glory. 3. 1921- The tale of ruthless Australian’s: (source) The 100th Ashes Test was celebrated by the Kangaroos in sizzling style as their prowess and fire was too hot to handle for the home side. This Test is epitomized as one of the most embarrassing defeats of England in Ashes history. It was Aussie bowlers who swayed away the English side in both the innings under the score of 150 runs. In the first innings, it was Jack Gregory who accumulated 6 wickets in a dismantling spell of bowling while in the second innings it was Ted McDonald who blew fire on the English batsmen with his fifer. Australia won the Test comprehensively by 10 wickets and in 2 days only as they dominated the five sessions of the match. 4. 1989– Australian ascendancy: (source) When the openers of a side combine for 329 runs in the first innings of the match, comeback by the bowling side becomes very difficult. After the Australians openers Mark Taylor and Geoff Marsh accumulated 329 runs for the first wicket, the Australian team was not the one to let go the humongous advantage. They went on to score a colossal total of 602 runs in the first innings. The English team couldn’t get close to the 600 run mark, not in one innings but even after playing both the innings. They lost the match by an innings and 180 runs. Terence Michael Alderman emerged as the protagonist with the red cherry as he ended the match with figures of 101/7. It was also the debut match of Michael Atherton. 5. 1981- When underdogs became the hotdogs: (source) Going into the match, the Australian’s were the underdogs but they turned the tables with their exceptional performance. On a green and moist pitch the Australians after winning the toss choose to bowl and made full use of the pitch as they bundled out the English side cheaply. But, the same thing happened with the touring side as well which made the match evenly balanced. But, it was in second innings, when Terry Alderman and Dennis Lille took their fifer respectively to restrict English team’s second innings to a mere total of 125 runs. Chasing a target of 132 runs was tricky and the road was not easy for the visitors but they won the match by 4 wickets. Graham Roy Dilley’s spell in which he grabbed 4 scalps scared the Aussies but he couldn’t overpower the wrath of Australians.