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Best Of The Best: Most Wickets In The Ashes 2005 Ft. Shane Warne, Andrew Flintoff



Simon Jones, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Andrew Flintoff, Glenn McGrath (Source: @ICC/X.com, @WisdenCricket/X.com)Simon Jones, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Andrew Flintoff, Glenn McGrath (Source: @ICC/X.com, @WisdenCricket/X.com)

One of the most remarkable Test series, the Ashes 2005, is forever regarded as one of the closest-fought series in cricket history. With high drama and intense action, the 2005 Ashes had everything one could have asked for.

There were runs, there were wickets, and then there were some brilliant sporting spirit of cricket moments on the field that make this series one of the folklore in the cricketing tales. As it came down, the series ended in favour of the hosts, England, who won the five-match Test series 2-1, marking their first victory since 1987.

Therefore, in this article, we will sneak-peek at some of the heroes of the Ashes 2005, as we look at the bowlers with the most wickets in this epic series.

5. Simon Jones (ENG) - 18 Wickets In 8 Innings

On number five on this list is English pacer Simon Jones, who featured in four Tests and took 18 wickets at an average of 21, while giving runs at an economy of just 3.70. Jones was highly competitive and one of the heroes of the winning English side that lifted the trophy in this rivalry. His pace and reverse swing helped England, as they relied on Jones' ability to change the game in their favour. In this series, he bagged two five-wicket hauls with best figures of 6/53, coming in the third Test at Manchester, where he helped England bowl Australia out for 302.

4. Glenn McGrath (AUS) - 19 Wickets In 6 Innings

At number four on this list is Australian legend Glenn McGrath. McGrath featured in just three games during the 2005 Ashes, but left a remarkable impact with 19 wickets in six innings at an average of 23.15, with an economy rate of 3.28. With two five-wicket hauls, McGrath's best figures were 5/53. The tall, lanky pacer was highly accurate with his deliveries, as he would make the ball talk, and is regarded as one of the greatest Australian fast bowlers of all time. England had a fair share of trouble facing McGrath, who would rattle them with his consistent line and length, forcing them to make errors.

3. Brett Lee (AUS) - 20 Wickets In 10 Innings

Moving to the number three on this list is Australia's prime pacer, Brett Lee. Lee was highly aggressive with the ball, and as he would rattle the opposition with a smile. He played all five matches in the series and took 20 wickets at an average of 41.10, while giving runs at an economy of 4.29. His extreme speed, added with some accuracy, made him one of the toughest bowlers to face in international cricket. Facing Lee was a nightmare for many, as he had the ability to change the game in a matter of minutes, while making the stumps fly.

2. Andrew Flintoff (ENG) - 24 Wickets In 9 Innings

Finally, moving to the number two player on this list, who is the hero of the 2005 Ashes, Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff. In nine innings that Flintoff bowled for England, he bagged 24 wickets at an average of 27.29, giving runs at an economy of just 3.37, as he bagged a five-wicket haul alongside two 4-fers.

Flintoff was at his absolute best in the series and is one of the cult heroes in British culture due to this iconic series, where he rattled the Aussies time and time again, with him being at the forefront. The stats don't reflect how much of a beast Flintoff was for England, as he would burst with the ball and had a lasting impact on the opposition, as well as on his own team.

Not just with the ball, Flintoff was equally brilliant with the bat as well, scoring runs in crucial, tense moments, aiding England in their march to victory. Even today, future generations in England look up to Freddie, who wrote history for the Three Lions against the mighty Kangaroos in 2005. At his very best, Freddie Flintoff was unplayable more often than not.

1. Shane Warne (AUS) - 40 Wickets In 10 Innings

Now talking about the number one player on the list in the 2005 Ashes to pick the most wickets, and by far, the highest wicket-taker in the series, was none other than the great magician, late Shane Warne. The leg-spinner, who had the ability to turn the ball with the magic of his wrist, picked up 40 wickets in 10 innings at an average of 19.92 with an economy of 3.15, as he grabbed three 5-fers and five 4-wicket hauls in Australia's Ashes 2005 campaign. 

Warne was highly competitive and never gave up, even when the chips were down. Warne is still regarded as one of the finest ever leg-spinners in cricketing history, as his ability was literally unmatched, considering he would pick wickets even on the flattest of wickets. Therefore, with remarkable bowling figures, Warne tops the chart in this highly competitive series.