Australia regained the Ashes on English soil for the first time in 18 years as they won the Old Trafford Test on the final day by beating England by 185 runs.
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There is a scene in ‘The Test’, the Docu-series that highlighted the behind-the-scenes functioning of the Australian cricket team. The side, reeling from the aftermath of sandpapergate that had tarnished the cricket culture of the nation, were on the cusp of glory. The main villain of Sandpapergate was now helping them achieve history. There is anticipation in the dressing room. Josh Hazlewood, the pacer, is running in to bowl. Craig Overton, the England batsman is on strike. Hazlewood raps him on the pads, Australia appeals, the finger is raised. England takes a review and DRS upholds the decision.
The Aussies celebrate. They have done something no other Australian team had done for 18 years. They had taken a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series by winning the fourth Test. Tim Paine pumping his fists in front of Spidercam was the culmination of a tough journey that Australia had to now go through in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal that took place in Newlands. September 8, 2019, will forever be remembered as the redemption day for Australia in their cricket history.
In the aftermath of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, Australia had to undergo a difficult rebuilding journey. They lost a series in South Africa after 48 years and they suffered a defeat to India at home. Steve Smith and David Warner, their gun batsmen were banned for a year. When they returned, Australia had some hope. They were knocked out in the semi-final by England in Edgbaston during the 2019 ICC World Cup.
At the same venue, Steve Smith was returning to one of the most hostile crowds in the UK. On top of that, Edgbaston was the fortress for the England team, having not lost for 18 years. But, Smith, scripting his own brilliant redemption story, scored a century in both innings as Australia breached England’s fortress.
Smith was undone by a 96mph bouncer from Jofra Archer at Lord’s which resulted in a concussion. Australia held on for a tense draw. But, Australia missed their star in Leeds. England changed the entire complexion of the series with Ben Stokes smashing 135. Stokes, who was already changing England’s destiny by giving them the World Cup win, had now gotten England back in the Ashes with a one-wicket win. With everything to play for, the focus now shifted to Old Trafford for the fourth Test.
The brilliance of Smith in Edgbaston and Lord’s had helped Australia stay afloat. In Smith’s concussion blow, Marnus Labuschagne became the first concussion substitute and he stepped up admirably. The apprentice and the master were now at work to ensure Australia would not be scarred by the Leeds loss.
Australia chose to bat and they lost Marcus Harris, David Warner, cheaply. But, Smith was at it again. Getting good support from Labuschagne, Smith was in prime form. Handling the pace and spin bowling with tremendous application, Smith was in the zone. He drove and cut brilliantly while Labuschange was also playing well.
Smith notched up his century but wickets started to tumble at the other end. On 118, Smith was caught at slip as Jack Leach was the bowler. But, Leach overstepped and the misery piled on for England. Smith was joined by Tim Paine and Australia made good progress. The new ball gave England hope but Smith went past 200 for the second time against the old enemy.
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon continued to bat brilliantly as Australia ended on 497/9 declared. Boosted by Smith’s 211, Australia had momentum.
Joe Root and Rory Burns both smashed fifties but the Australian bowling was in top form. Josh Hazlewood took four wickets, with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins taking three wickets apiece. Armed with a lead of 196, Australia extended their advantage with Steve Smith once again showing his class. The visitors were reduced to 44/4 but Matthew Wade and Smith took the game away with a 105-run stand.
Australia ended on 186/6 declared, with Smith hitting 82. Remarkably, this was Smith’s lowest score at that point of the series. England needed 383 for a win but they lost Rory Burns and Joe Root in the first over. Cummins’ double-strike had ensured Australia had one hand on the Urn. But, England refused to give up. Jason Roy and Joe Denly hung in, with Denly hitting a fifty.
Australia continued to chip away but England was hanging in there. Craig Overton and Jack Leach were defying the bowlers. With time running out, England seemed to have escaped again. But, Leach was dismissed by Labuschagne’s leg spin. Two overs later, Hazlewood trapped Overton LBW and the Ashes were regained by Australia.
England would go on to win the final Test at The Oval. The series was drawn 2-2, but Australia had regained the Ashes and dealt a big blow to their rivals’ ego. Smith ended with 774 runs in the series. He was the difference-maker in a big way.
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