England vs Australia: All You Need To Know About The 2019 Ashes Series

The 2019 edition of Ashes also launched the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. Australia, having won the previous Ashes in 2017-18 4-1, started off this series as defending champions. In what was one of the most closely fought series between two titans in recent memory, both team fought tooth and nail to share the honours 2-2 after the five matches. Steve Smith, after completing his one-year ban from International cricket, made a grand comeback to the game’s longest format. Smith in his usual run-scoring spree, scored 774 runs in four Tests with three centuries including a match-winning double-ton at Old Trafford.

Highlights From The Ashes 2019 Series

1^st Test

Australia, batting first, scored 284 in their 1^st innings while England, riding on Joe Burns’ 133 scored 374. Visitors, with a 1^st innings deficit of 90, scored 487-7d in their 2^nd innings to set-up a target of 398. The English line-up folded out for 146, thus handing over a 1-0 lead to their rivals. Australian middle-order batsman Steve Smith, with scores of 144 and 142 was named ‘Man of the Match’.

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2^nd Test

With a 1-0 lead, Australia won the toss and decided to field. England gained a paltry 8-run lead in their 1^st innings. In the 2^nd innings, England sportingly declared at 258, thus setting up a Day 5 target of 267. Australia batted for 47.3 overs and scored 154-6 to draw the Test.

3^rd Test

Australia, scoring 179 bundled out England for just 67 on Day 1. Visitors stretched their lead further, leaving the home side with a target of 359. At 286-9, Ben Stokes repeated his World Cup final heroics and registered an unlikely win for England. With the victory, both teams were now tied at 1-1 after three matches.

Read: Smith Breaks His Own Record Of 769 Runs, Scores 774 Runs In The Ashes

4^th Test

Smith’s double hundred propelled his side to a huge 497-8 d. Australia, after gaining a196-run lead, set up a 383-run target for England. Cummins’ 4-43 decimated the English line-up as the home side fell short of the target by 185 runs. Smith, with scores of 211 and 82, was adjudged as ‘Man of the Match’.

5^th Test

Going into the final Test with a 2-1 lead, Australia were behind with a 69-run 1^st innings deficit. In England’s 2^nd innings, the home side scored 329 to set a target of 399. Matthew Wade’s 117 went in vain as England won the match by 135 runs. The series ended with a 2-2 draw with Australia retaining the Ashes Urn. 

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