Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has described the 2005 Ashes as the best Test series he ever played in, even though England ended an 18-year wait to reclaim the urn. Speaking on the Old Boys, New Balls Podcast hosted by Lord Ian Botham and Sir Bill Beaumont, Lee reflected on a contest widely regarded as one of the greatest in cricket history.
England staged a remarkable comeback after losing the opening Test at Lord's, winning the next two matches to take a 2-1 lead. The pivotal moment came at Edgbaston, where England secured a nerve-shredding two-run victory. Lee was left stranded on 17 not out when Steve Harmison bounced out Michael Kasprowicz, sparking wild celebrations.
Lee recalled the moment England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff consoled him after the defeat. “That big hand came over my shoulder, he consoled me and said ‘you cheeky, little bugger, you almost got us’,” Lee said. “A lot of people say to me ‘but Australia lost’ – well, so be it. It’s the way and the style in which it was played.”
The 2005 series remains a benchmark for Test cricket, with Lee insisting that if Australia had won the Edgbaston Test, they would have retained the urn. “If we won that second Test, I think we would have gone on to beat England, we would have had that momentum, but the game’s a funny thing,” he added.
