Best ashes series in history?

[Indusriver]

which ashes series in history have the most exciting and entertaining?

I heard from some where 1985 ashes was the best, is it true?? i know 2005 was amazing

 

[JBMAC]

Bodyline series without a doubt. There is bound to be crowd figures somewhere on the net. Also caused serious government ramifications.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Bodyline series without a doubt. There is bound to be crowd figures somewhere on the net. Also caused serious government ramifications.

You actually thought that was good cricket?

Just curious to know because most veteran, cricket-knowledgeable Australians that I've talked with seem to think that it was a very bad advertisement for the sport.

 

[robelinda]

From all I've read and seen, gotta be Bodyline. Plenty of other Ashes series are great for a lot of other reasons though.

 

[Jacknife]

Even though the Bodyline series was very controversial and has gone down in history because of the leg theory bowling tactic and obviously I can only speak from what I have read about that series, the games weren't as close and exciting as the 2005 series.

It seems it depends on what your idea of entertaining and exciting are.

 

[Howe_zat]

which ashes series in history have the most exciting and entertaining?

I heard from some where 1985 ashes was the best, is it true?? i know 2005 was amazing

I haven't seen many but the ones that are usually talked about are 1932/33 (Bodyline), 1953, 1981 and now 2005.

I think you were told 1981 rather than 1985 - the '81 series was an amazing comeback by England with Botham as the star. Beefy gave up a miserable run as captain halfway through the series and played like he was on fire for the remainder to win it.

1985 (which featured England thrashing one of the worst Aussie sides of the post-war era) isn't thought of as anywhere near as good, aside from David Gower's batting.

 

[grecian]

2005, for me, two very good teams, one an ATG, the other just peaking for a few years. England needed luck to beat that team, and we got it, but Warne was immense on the other side, would have been my MOTS, even though I've never seen a better all-round series by an Englishman then Freddie, even Botham.

Two colossus, but many other great perfomances.

 

[zaremba]

which ashes series in history have the most exciting and entertaining?

I heard from some where 1985 ashes was the best, is it true?? i know 2005 was amazing

In 1936/37 Australia were two nil down with three to play, won the lot and won the Ashes. None of the individual matches was particularly close though.

1985 and 1986/87 were not particularly good series, but England did win. No Ashes series then took place until the 2005 and 2009 series in England. 2005 was an amazing series, all the matches were terrific and the result was uncertain until the last session of the last Test.

 

[sumantra]

2005

 

[L Trumper]

Add 1902 to the list. Last two matches in that series were ****ing legendary

 

[smash84]

From the ones that I have seen has to be 2005. Arguably the finest test series ever.

Heard a bit about Bodyline and 1981 Ashes too

 

[Zinzan]

I think you were told 1981 rather than 1985

Yup, he clearly has those years mixed up.

 

[Indusriver]

you guys might be right, it might be 81 instead of 85

but anyways how come i never knew about this innings by Botham in the third test? how come this innings is never talked about? 3rd Test: England v Australia at Leeds, Jul 16-21, 1981 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

^ surely one of the best innings under the circumstances, ofcourse willis 8 wickets was amazing too

 

[robelinda]

you guys might be right, it might be 81 instead of 85

but anyways how come i never knew about this innings by Botham in the third test? how come this innings is never talked about? 3rd Test: England v Australia at Leeds, Jul 16-21, 1981 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

^ surely one of the best innings under the circumstances, ofcourse willis 8 wickets was amazing too

INDUSRIVER FAIL!!!!!!!

That innings is one of THE most talked about innings.....

 

[Indusriver]

^ not on this forum. in the other best test innings thread i never saw this innings being mentioned

 

[Athlai]

^ not on this forum. in the other best test innings thread i never saw this innings being mentioned

yeah neither

 

[robelinda]

Wisden 100 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[robelinda]

^ not on this forum. in the other best test innings thread i never saw this innings being mentioned

There is a world outside this forum.....

 

[Indusriver]

Wisden 100 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

this is nice, can't believe Azhar mahmood's 132 is the 8th best innings of all time

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

you guys might be right, it might be 81 instead of 85

but anyways how come i never knew about this innings by Botham in the third test? how come this innings is never talked about? 3rd Test: England v Australia at Leeds, Jul 16-21, 1981 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

^ surely one of the best innings under the circumstances, ofcourse willis 8 wickets was amazing too

For what it's worth, I don't think merely judging from scorecards can tell you how good a batting display was. By all accounts, Botham's knock in the 4th test was a much better display of controlled, aggressive strokeplay.

In Leeds, he and Dilley had nothing to lose and threw the kitchen sink at everything. Fortune favours the brave, I guess and no one deserved it more than Beefy that day. But, that was hardly a great batting performance and even Botham himself has said so many times since.

That was an awesome series for him though. A wonderful performer with the bat, the ball and in the slips.