OTD| Australia retained the Ashes for a record seven times in a row in 2001

Ashes cricket is among the most famous and followed Test series in the world of cricket. Both England and Australia came up with their A-game for the series. Over the years, both the teams have proven their mettle against each other as well as in the Test arena. But it was in the 2001 series of the Ashes where the Australian team under the captaincy of Steve Waugh won the Ashes series for the seventh time in a row. 

It was certainly a no-brainer as the Australian team were the favorites to regain the Ashes as the Australian side was star-studded right from the opening to the number 11. So, the result was also just the same with Australia going on to win the series 4-1. In fact, the first Test match certainly proved all the cricketing experts right when Australia went on to thrash England by an innings and 118 runs on the back of Adam Gilchrist’s 152 and 8 wickets in the match from Shane Warne.

In the second Test match of the Ashes series, England did put up a fight in a few sessions but in the session when it mattered the Australian certainly snatched the win away from England on the famous Lord’s Cricket ground. Some, terrific performances from Glenn McGrath in both innings certainly set the tone for the series. 

In the third Test match of the series, all of the fans were expecting a good fightback from the England side as they showed hints of great fighting spirit in the previous Test match and that is what exactly happened. In a terrific battle between bat and ball Australians just edged past England on the back of some exceptional bowling performances from Shane Warne, especially in the second innings which later on proved to be the difference in both the team as after the first innings from both the team the game was evenly poised.

The journey then went into the fourth Test at Leeds, but everyone was quite sure after the fight that England showcased in the third match, the fourth Test will be a cracker of a game and it eventually turned out to be one for the home fans as the England side registered a comprehensive victory against the visitors. It was all due possible because of some brilliant second innings batting by Mark Butcher who led England to a famous victory chasing a huge target of 315 to win the match. Butcher saw the home side over the line with his master class knock of 173*.

In the fifth and last match, Australia once again proved that they were the best side in the world when they defeated England in an emphatic manner. Australia defeated England by an innings and 25 runs on the back of a terrific 10-wicket haul from Shane Warne who ended the match with 11 wickets to his name.

Glenn McGrath and Mark Butcher were chosen to be the Player of the Series. McGrath was the leading taken in the Ashes series with 32 wickets to his name and Butcher was the leading run-getter in the tournament.