On this day: Ricky Ponting and the tail fights out a draw
Drama, action, rivalry and exemplary performances– The Ashes, since its inception, has the tradition of dishing out enthralling games for the cricket world. The 2005 Ashes, comprising many match-winning batting and bowling displays, was arguably the most thrilling contests in the history of the sport.
On 15th August 2005, the world witnessed one of Australia’s legendary batsman single-handedly pulling off a draw at Old Trafford. Ricky Ponting flaunted his class and resilience at Manchester in the third Ashes Test, batting for almost seven hours to ensure that the series stays levelled 1-1.
Australia had to overcome a daunting task of chasing 423 to clinch the Test. With wickets tumbling at regular intervals, the victory seemed a distant dream for them. However, Ponting endured the English bowling force for nearly seven hours to save the Test. Ponting, exhibiting his grit while facing 275 deliveries, stitched 156 runs and made Australia’s 423-run pursuit look feasible at one stage.
#OnThisDay in 2005, @glennmcgrath11 and @BrettLee_58 survived a nervy four overs to secure Australia a draw at Old Trafford after the ninth wicket of Ricky Ponting fell for 156 in an Ashes thriller. pic.twitter.com/ngAlFTTSvB
— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2018
Ponting kept switching his style in his marathon innings while Ashley Giles, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff kept trying to breach his defence. With 300 needed off 70 overs, survival ought to be the only thing in Ponting’s mind. The skipper was the lone warrior for Australia as no other batsman managed to stay glued at the crease and face at least 100 deliveries. With wickets tumbling at the other end, the skipper had another responsibility on his shoulders.
With half a day to go, Ponting efficiently started banking on Giles’ error in length. He hit 16 fours and one six in his marathon knock to bring the crowd to its feet. But his defiant knock wasn’t able to help Australia from losing the crucial wicket of Damien Martyn, Simon Katich and Adam Gilchrist in the second session. With a brilliant drive in the 70th over, Ponting acknowledged the crowd’s applause as he had amassed his 23rd Test ton. But he still had a long way to go.
Shane Warne rose to the occasion and stitched a handy 34-run knock to help relieve Ponting’s pressure. But after Warne’s departure, Ponting decided to resort to slogging. In the process, the skipper lost his focus and gloved the ball to Jones off a Steve Harmison bouncer. With less than five overs to go, a dejected Ponting walked back to the dressing room, thinking about Australia losing the chance to drag and draw the Test.
But Australia survived with Brett Lee (18) and Glenn McGrath (5) saving their wickets until the stumps. It was over and the draw seemed more than a triumph for the visitors. Keeping the result out of the equation, Ponting, undoubtedly, had delivered one of his career-best knocks, often tagged amongst the greatest Test innings of the 2000s.
