Australia still top dogs despite Ashes woe
Australia still top dogs despite Ashes woe
Australia’s domination of world cricket was seriously challenged in 2005 for the first time this century after the most dramatic series in living memory.
England’s 2-1 victory over Ricky Ponting’s team wrested the sport’s oldest prize out of Australian hands for the first time since 1989.
Although Ponting’s men recovered quickly to crush West Indies 3-0 and consolidate their position at the top of the world rankings, the defeat by England showed up clear chinks in their armour.
Elsewhere in 2005, the global pecking order remained largely unchanged with South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand and West Indies vying for the minor placings and Zimbabwe plunging further into trouble on and off the pitch.
In the Ashes series in England the hosts fought back from heavy defeat in the first test at Lord’s to force a nail-biting victory at Edgbaston.
Australia clung on for a draw at Old Trafford but England would not be denied at Trent Bridge, where they scrambled home by three wickets after being set just 129 for victory.
More: today.reuters.co.uk
