The Ultimate Test Series: Ashes epics face off

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Ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final, we’re looking to crown The Ultimate Test Series – a Test series that would stand out in any era for both its significance to the sport’s rich history and the level of cricket played.

Over the past week we have invited you to vote on your favourite campaigns from a shortlist of 16 and now we are well and truly into the quarter-finals.

Today, two iconic Ashes series face-off as the unforgettable 2005 epic takes on the 1981 series aptly remembered as 'Botham's Ashes'.

England vs Australia, 20052-1 to England across five Tests

Going into the 2005 series, England had not won an Ashes campaign since 1987, with the Australians taking out each of the past eight series between the two sides.

In 2005, England finally won back the urn.

That did not look a likely result when the Australians dealt them a 239-run defeat at Lord’s in the series opener off the back of a nine-wicket match haul from Glenn McGrath.

However, things took a drastic turn at Edgbaston, where the Australians lost McGrath to a rolled ankle before a ball had been bowled. In one of the sport’s tightest ever finishes, England went on to win that Test by two runs. In trouble at 175/8 and then 220/9 in the chase, the Australians almost pulled off the improbable.

At Old Trafford, the Australians just barely held on for a draw thanks to a century from captain Ricky Ponting, before England took a 2-1 series lead Trent Bridge after an Andrew Flintoff ton. A draw at the Oval was followed by an open-top bus parade for England’s triumphant outfit.

England-Australia, 19813-2 to England across six Tests

The 1981 Ashes is fondly remembered in England as ‘Botham’s Ashes’ - such was the impact the all-rounder had on the course of the series.

The Australians came out on top in a low-scoring encounter at Trent Bridge to start the series, with Dennis Lillee taking nine wickets for the match, before a draw at Lord’s.

Botham had been relatively quiet across the first two matches but came out of his shell after relinquishing the captaincy ahead of the third Test.

At Headingley, he proved devastating with both bat and ball. Having taken six wickets in Australia’s first innings total of 401, Botham came out swinging after England were forced to follow on, blasting 149 at better than a run-a-ball. That was enough to help the hosts set a target of 130, which proved 19 too many for Australia as Bob Willis took eight wickets.

The result galvanised the English unit as they mounted another comeback victory in the fourth Test match in Edgbaston before sealing the series with a 103-run victory in the fifth Test match in Manchester.

The sixth and final Test at the Oval in London would end in a draw, with Lillee snaring 11 wickets and Botham 10. Botham finished the series with 399 runs and 34 wickets.