FROM THE ARCHIVE: Shots of the 2005 Ashes... 1st Test

After England won the Ashes in 2005, The Cricketer asked its writers to commentate on the greatest images from the greatest series. Here are three images from the first Test at Lord's

After England won the Ashes in 2005, The Cricketer asked its writers to commentate on the greatest images from the greatest series.

Peter English and Sambit Bal reflect on two iconic photos from the first Test at Lord’s – with newly added commentary from Thomas Blow. 

Day 1, 11.24am, Harmison hits Ponting

Peter English: Steve Harmison had already cracked Justin Langer’s elbow and clanged Matthew Hayden’s helmet, but this was a more symbolic achievement. Australia have made it a long-standing policy to attack the opposition captain, but have never experienced such a sharp taste of their own medicine. 

Ricky Ponting aimed a pull at Harmison, but the ball crashed through the grille of his helmet and drew blood. England might have lost the match, but Australia knew then that their opponents would not be intimidated and Ponting was left dazed and confused for the first of many times in the series. 

Patched up by the physio, he was dismissed 10 balls later and fielded with butterfly clips over the cut before an appointment with a plastic surgeon for eight stiches. Harmison had hammered the first blow and no amount of antiseptic cream could make it disappear. 

Day 1, 3.33pm, McGrath’s 500th

Sambit Bal: Admittedly it’s always more fun when events defy the script, like the Aussies being Aussied in the first two sessions of the Lord’s Test. But it’s always special to watch the perfect execution of a plan leading to a grand occasion.

In fact, it was almost too perfect to come true. Bookmakers had put their money on it, and Glenn McGrath himself had visualised it. Three uneventful overs before tea held no portents for it. 

And then wicket No. 500 came like a dream: the first ball after tea pitched on a length on middle, slanted across Marcus Trescothick, turned him inside out, and caught the edge that carried to Justin Langer at third slip. 

In no time, McGrath had taken five wickets for two runs, effectively sealing the match for Australia. Fast bowlers with big mouths aren’t uncommon, but few have been able to walk the talk like McGrath. 

Day 4, 5pm, KP’s Test introduction

Thomas Blow: When England selected Kevin Pietersen ahead of Graham Thorpe for the Lord’s match, some questioned whether it was the right decision. In Test cricket, Thorpe had scored 16 centuries and averaged 49 against Australia.

However, everyone at Lord’s on that fourth day – and everyone watching at home or in the pub or wherever – realised it was the perfect time for the talents of KP to be unleashed. 

As wickets fell around him, the swashbuckling batter dispatched the brilliance of Warne and McGrath with distain and unflappable confidence; comprehending the ideology set out by skipper Michael Vaughan.

He finished unbeaten on 64, and the tempo for the series had well and truly been set. 

This article originally appeared in the October 2005 issue of The Cricketer. Additional commentary added in July 2019. 

To celebrate England winning the World Cup you can subscribe to The Cricketer for just £20.19. Click here to learn more

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.