FROM THE ARCHIVE: Simon Jones on Australia’s 2015 Ashes hopes and the summer of ‘05

In the summer of 2005, Simon Jones decimated the seemingly indestructible Australian top order; taking 18 wickets at an average of 21. Fast forward a decade, and the retired fast bowler told Huw Turbervill his predictions for the 2015 series...

In the summer of 2005, Simon Jones decimated the seemingly indestructible Australian top order; taking 18 wickets at an average of 21. Fast forward a decade, and the retired fast bowler told Huw Turbervill his predictions for the 2015 series. He predicted a tight affair; believing the Aussies would just "pip it". In the end, it was England that edged out their oldest rivals; winning the five-match series 3-2. Here’s the article from the July 2015 edition of The Cricketer.

Simon Jones knows what it is like to play in a close Ashes series, and he says this year’s contest will also be tight. "We have the makings of a good squad but we’re rebuilding," the former England fast bowler, 36, said. "The Aussies are a balanced and confident team. They are where we were in 2005. They have the bowlers, the batters, the serious talent, but we have the English conditions.

"Mitchell Johnson doesn’t like the Dukes ball. If he doesn’t fire, there’s pressure on the other bowlers. Mitchell Starc is amazing but Johnson is the one they look to. I think it will be very tight but the Aussies might pip it."

^{Mitchell Johnson}

"Pipping it" is exactly what England did in 2005. "It was an immense summer. My first experience of the Ashes [2002-03] ended horribly, but to be involved in a team that was balanced and comfortable was a good place to be. We had beaten everyone else, and even though the Aussies were the best team in the world, we knew they were there to be taken."

The series did not begin well for the hosts, though. "We were hammered at Lord’s - we didn’t bat well enough. Vaughnie was a brilliant captain, however; he was honest and open. He knew how to man-manage us, he knew us so well as individuals. He said: ‘Look, Lord’s has happened, but we start again at Edgbaston.’ We went away and came back fresh."

Fortune favoured England at Edgbaston when Glenn McGrath, the slayer at Lord’s, hurt his ankle standing on a ball. "I was about 20 yards away from Glenn and I saw the colour drain from him. I thought, ‘he’s in real trouble.’ You wouldn’t wish that on anyone but it couldn’t have come at a better time for England. When we saw him carried off we thought, ‘We’re in here…’

^{Glenn McGrath was injured ahead of the second Test}

"I went over to see him, to show respect as he’s a legend. I wanted him to be back and play the series. Amazingly [Ricky] Ponting gave us first use. We heard rumours that the Aussies didn’t agree with that decision; it was a flat, white wicket. Tres batted like a man possessed, Brett Lee went for five an over. I batted with Freddie [Flintoff] on that Saturday and loved it."

Jones spilled Mike Kasprowicz with the tourists needed 15 to win. "I thought I had dropped the series."

England won by two runs, however, and, after the draw at Old Trafford, went 2-1 up at Trent Bridge before holding out at The Oval, a match Jones missed because of an ankle injury. "Although we should have won 3-1 not 2-1, the way the nation took hold of the series was bonkers. It was great to be a part of it."