The Ashes - The Greatest Series (Box Set) > Reviews > Relive the Ashes Series (the one that we won)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	Relive all the tension of the 2005 series
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Who can ever forget the magnificent 2005 Ashes series. The Australians came into the series having held the Ashes since 1987, could England finally release their grip this time round. England were full of confidence going into the series on the back of their winter success in South Africa and had skittled the Australians out for under a hundred in the recent Twenty-20 match. This Australian team was not going to lie down though. Posessing stars like Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist and Ponting, this was going to be a tough test for the English Lions. I had this bought for me as a Christmas present which cost £20 at the time. I'm sure it has now been reduced

This DVD captures all the main actual as caught by the Channel 5 camera, key interviews and clips that were not broadcast on the main TV coverage.

The DVDs are ordered as follows :-

DVD 1 - 1st Test at Lords, 2nd Test at Edgbaston

The first test of the series saw Kevin Pietersen make his England test debut. All was going well for England on the first morning as they had the Aussies in all kinds of trouble and ended up bowling them out cheaply on the first afternoon. England could not rest on their laurels however as a devestating spell of fast bowling from Glenn McGrath ripeed through England giving the Aussies a small first innings lead. Australias batsmen faired much better in the second innings and gave themselves a competitive total to defend. Englands batsmen failed for the second time in the match and not even the trusty English weather could save the inevitable. 1-0 to the Aussies.

The Edgbaston test at the start of August will go down as one of the most memorable of all time. England raced along to over 400 in next to no time and bowled the Aussies out for a little over 300. In Englands second innings they were in all kinds of trouble before Flintoff appeared to put the game out of the Aussies reach. By the end of Saturdays play, England needed only 2 wickets to level the series with the Aussies over 100 behind. Somehow the Aussies got to within 2 runs before England finally wrapped the game up.

DVD 2 - 3rd Test at Old Trafford, 4th Test at Trent Bridge

At Old Trafford, england again had Australia on the backfoot and only a superb innings from Ponting saved them from falling behind in the series.

The Trent Bridge Test was the one that ultimately decided the series. Not for the first time England had got themsleves into a match winning position and also not for the first time they almost threw it away. They did however manage to cross the finishing line with Ashley Giles hitting the winning runs.

DVD 3 - 5th Test at The Oval, extras

Australia needed to win the final test to square the series and retain the ashes. The weather was in Englands favour and play was interrupted on each of the first 4 days. England however did not produce the brilliant batting displays of the previos 3 tests and gave the Aussies a sniff. England were in deep trouble on the final day and were indebted to a magnificent innings by Kevin Pietersen to save the day and win the ashes. This test was also the last ever to contain the commentary of the great Richie Benaud which is another good reason for owning this piece of history.

I havent really watched the bonus stuff to be honest. It includes unseen footage fo the ashes, montages of the best batting and bowling of the series and the last commentary by Richie Benaud.

This is a great chance to own a piece of English sporting history. The whole nation was gripped by the series, even people who did not usually watch cricket. I would recommend this DVD set to anyone who wants to be entertained, it is a seriously good watch with great commentary and analysis by the channel 5 team.