‘This will trump 2005’: After a long and winding build-up, the Ashes are finally here

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The 2005 Ashes remains the benchmark for cricketing theatre between Australia and England this century.

Australia surrendered the urn that year after a gripping 2-1 series defeat, but the imagery endures: Shane Warne’s 40 wickets, Andrew Flintoff consoling Brett Lee at Edgbaston, Kevin Pietersen’s swagger – and Michael Vaughan’s England toppling one of the great Australian teams.

But Lee, who lived through every twist of that campaign, believes what unfolds over the next seven weeks will surpass that famous English summer.

“I think this Test series coming up will actually trump 2005,” Lee said.

As soon as the words leave Lee’s mouth, Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley chimes in from the other side of the room.

“That’s it, Binga!” Crawley said, sounding every bit the television executive praying for a blockbuster summer – and a ratings victory over Channel Seven while he’s at it.

Andrew Flintoff of England consoles Brett Lee of Australia after England defeated Australia on day four of the second Ashes Test in 2005.

“I honestly believe that,” Lee continued. “Because of what happened two years ago. The rivalry, everything that went on – it’s going to bring a lot of aggression, in a great sense. You want that when you’re playing for your country. I can’t wait.”

Nor can the Australian cricket public. The dip in workplace productivity on Friday afternoon when play gets underway in Perth is sure to cost the country’s economy a figure in the multi-millions of dollars.

Expect fans to concoct their best excuses to clock off early before either Mitchell Starc or Gus Atkinson – or perhaps Jofra Archer – steams in to deliver the first ball of the Ashes at 1.20pm AEDT.

History is what makes the Ashes so special: the Gatting Ball, Steve Waugh’s last-ball century at the SCG, Ben Stokes at Headingley, Adam Gilchrist’s hundred at the WACA, ‘Amazing Adelaide’, Edgbaston 2005, Bodyline and Broad’s 8-15 spring to mind.

Old Trafford was the scene of Shane Warne’s “ball of the century” in 1993.

Last summer’s Border-Gavaskar series between Australia and India broke attendance and ratings records, but all signs suggest the next 49 days will be even bigger. Cricket Australia says 456 broadcast staff – from commentators to camera operators – will be on duty in Perth, along with 110 journalists and photographers covering every twist.

Crowds are set to surge past last year’s day two Optus Stadium record figure of 32,368, with day one sold out and day two close behind. The 60,000 seat venue is expected to host a sizeable chunk of the 30,000 English supporters who have travelled for this series.

With a couple of 31-year-old Sheffield Shield veterans – opener Jake Weatherald and paceman Brendan Doggett – confirmed in Australia’s XI, nerves will spike on Friday morning as England prepare to unleash two genuine speed demons in Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.

“He’s bowling rapid,” England captain Ben Stokes said of Wood, who has been humming through training this week.

Steve Smith looks on in the nets ahead of the first Ashes Test.

Captain Steve Smith was first into the nets on Thursday – on the final day of what has felt like an interminable build-up to his ninth Ashes campaign.

Regular skipper Pat Cummins bowled at full intensity again, each spell raising hopes he will be fit to return for the second Test in Brisbane.

It may be the last time Cummins is spotted bowling the day before a Test match, given Australia’s fast bowlers who are playing traditionally spend T-1 either on the physio’s bench or the golf course.

As much as fans would love Cummins to pull off a major surprise by walking out to the middle for Friday’s toss, Smith will flick the coin and get things under way – hopefully with more conviction than his miscue during the Sheffield Shield last week.

Just after midday local time on Thursday, Smith donned his Australian blazer and posed with the Waterford Crystal Trophy before throng of photographers, shaking Stokes’ hand in an exchange that was friendly enough but carried enough of an edge to confirm both men are desperate to help their side thump the other.

“There are always so many words said before a series,” Smith told more than 70 members of the media at his pre-match press conference, highlighted by a drive-by on former England spinner Monty Panesar.

“It’s about ignoring the noise. Everyone’s been raring to go. Hopefully we give you something worth talking about out in the middle.”

The last time Australia played two debutants in an Ashes Test – Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer at the SCG in 2010 – they lost by an innings and 83 runs.

England, too, arrive with points to prove. Some forget England won the last Test between the sides, at Old Trafford in 2023, and have been victorious in 52 per cent of their matches since then.

Stokes averaged 23 with the bat and 71 with the ball during his last Ashes tour of Australia. He knows his legacy as captain may be shaped by what happens between now and mid-January, as the “Bazball” revolution rises to a crescendo.

“We’ve got an opportunity here to write our own history,” Stokes told reporters. “We’ve come here with the goal to get on that plane in January as Ashes winners.

“I understand what this series means in my journey as England captain. It’s certainly the biggest I will lead in. I wake up every day loving what I do – it’s the greatest honour in English cricket to lead this team.

“And everyone knows England’s record in Australia isn’t the best.”