SEO Version
Ashes Memories
Marcus Trescothick:
My Ashes
18
Somerset opener Marcus Trescothick
reflects on the epic 2005 Ashes Test at
Trent Bridge, with former Nottinghamshire
spinner Jim Hindson.
As a die-hard Notts and England fan, the
initial elation I felt on hearing that Trent
Bridge was successful in its bid to host
Ashes Tests in 2013 and 2015 gave way to
a feeling of some trepidation. How can you
possibly improve on the last occasion that
an Ashes Test took place at Trent Bridge, in
August 2005, which was such an incredible
game within such an incredible series?
Roll back the clock six years and England
were a brave, confident and successful outfit
going into that famous contest having won
fiveTest series on the bounce. But they were
taking on a formidable Australia team that
boasted a proud record of dominating the
Ashes since 1989 and included the likes of
Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Adam
Gilchrist in their ranks.
After being blown away in the first Test at
Lord’s, the public’s fears that this was the
same old England story were allayed when
Michael Vaughan’s men won by just two
runs in the second clash at Edgbaston – an
epic encounter that thrust the sport onto
the front pages.
The Ashes went on to dominate the
headlines throughout the summer and after
another fabulous Test, which saw Australia
clinging on for a draw at Old Trafford, the
series arrived in Nottingham, beautifully
poised at 1-1.
I spent some time at the England team hotel
before that Trent Bridge encounter and can
reveal the atmosphere in the camp was calm
but incredibly focused. The players were
certainly aware that they were involved in
a historic series but also knew there would
be plenty of time to reflect on it once it was
all over.
Opening batsman Marcus Trescothick,
whose brilliant innings at the top of the
order were pivotal in the series, picks up
the story.
“We got on a roll at Edgbaston and by
the time we arrived at Trent Bridge we
were flying despite having been held to
that heartbreaking draw at Old Trafford,”
he said.
“All of the guys were feeling positive about
their games and were very much looking
to make the play at Trent Bridge by being
aggressive and taking it to them.”
England certainly did take it to Australia,
winning the toss and belting a first innings
total of 477 before reducing Ricky Ponting’s
team to 218 all out and enforcing the follow
on – a decision that wasn’t taken lightly
according toTrescothick. Australia rallied in
their second innings, edging past England
and leaving a potentially tricky score of 129
for a famous victory.
“I remember feeling very nervous towards
the end of the game,” said Marcus.
“Small totals are always tricky to chase
down and we knew it would be tough. Our
plan was score the runs as fast as possible to
prevent the pressure from transferring onto
us. It worked in the first few overs, but then
I got done bat-pad by Warne with his first
ball and we lost a few wickets.”
England had reduced the runs required to
less than 100 beforeTrescothick was caught
- the first of four victims forWarne.Wickets
began to tumble at an alarming rate,
shredding the nerves of the England players.
“I was sat in the corner on the balcony of
the Trent Bridge dressing room and I was
‘cacking’ myself to put it lightly,” he said.
“Eventually Matthew Hoggard of all people
hit an incredible cover drive for four and we
were almost home. We celebrated like mad
and they are the moments you live for. You
have all the hard work over the previous
weeks and months behind you and the
realisation had dawned that we had gone
2-1 up, and were five days play away from
possibly winning the series.”
In recent years, a resurgent England side,
containing Notts off-spinner Graeme
the guys in the
England squad
will be delighted
that Trent Bridge
is an ashes venue
MARCUS TRESCOTHICK
Powered by FlippingBook Publisher