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Remembering the Last Time England Tasted Ashes Series Success

Since former New Zealand wicketkeeper, Brendan McCullum joined the English setup as head coach, England have been the team to beat in test cricket. They had won seven consecutive test matches over the last year and were recently aiming to make it eight on the spin in New Zealand for the first time since 2004. That didn't happen courtesy of an unbelievable one-run victory for the hosts, but that won't dampen the visitor's confidence heading forward.

With the 2023 Ashes Series just around the corner, the bookmakers can't split the two sides that will battle it out for the famous urn. OddsChecker, which compares cricket odds and free bets, make England the slightest of favourites against their biggest cricketing rivals, Australia. That may be down to the fact that this year's series takes place on English soil. But it doesn't change the fact that it has been eight long years since they last defeated their long-lost cousins from down under. Here's the story of the 2015 Ashes Series.

First Test - Cardiff

The first match in Cardiff saw England start off stuffing an Australian comeback. Both English openers fell cheaply, with opener Adam Lyth falling for just seven, and captain Alistair Cook being dismissed for 20. Ian Bell's dismissal would leave England reeling at 43/3, however Yorkshire duo Gary Ballance and Joe Root would steady the ship.

Joe Root would hit a spell-binding 134 runs in that first innings to take England from a precarious position to one of strength and comfort. The tourists fought back when they scored 308 in their first innings, however, they were still some 122 runs behind as the second innings got underway. More runs from Root left the Aussies needing 411 to win. They couldn't manage it, and England would take a 1-0 series lead courtesy of a 169-run victory.

Second Test - Lord's

Australia have held a stranglehold at the home of cricket for what feels like an eternity, and that continued in 2015. Steve Smith had solidified himself as the greatest batsman on the planet in the run-up to that year's Ashes series, and he was in blistering form as he hit a brilliant 215 to give his side a huge first-innings lead of 254. They would add a further 254 runs in their second innings before declaring and setting the hosts 508 to win.

England were humbled in their second innings. They were skittled for just 103 runs, with Stuart Broad top scoring. The 405-run victory gave the visitors all the momentum ahead of the third test, with the series tied at one apiece.

Third Test - Edgbaston

That momentum evaporated on day one of the third test at Edgbaston however. The Australians won the toss and elected to bat, but James Anderson's brilliant 6/47 reduced the tourists to a score of 136 all out. England would then secure a 145-run lead following another 60 from Joe Root.

While the tourists managed 265 in their second innings, England needed just 121 to win, a target they reached for the loss of just two wickets. The hosts knew that victory at Trent Bridge in the fourth test would secure the urn, and they didn't disappoint.

Fourth Test - Nottingham

Day one of the fourth test at Trent Bridge was a gloomy and overcast one. The toss was crucial, and it was a toss that England won. They elected to field, and Stuart Broad took over. He took a career-best eight wickets for just fifteen runs as the tourists were bowled out for a paltry 60 runs, one of the lowest scores in their history. A brilliant 130 from Joe Root helped his side to a score of 390, and the tourists needed a miracle if they were to keep the series alive.

The miracle never came though. They were bowled out for 253, giving England victory by an innings and 78 runs, as well as an unassailable 3-1 series lead.

Fifth Test - The Oval

Although the series was over, Australia wanted to head back down under with their pride intact, and they duly delivered. England attempted to repeat their Trent Bridge heroics and once again elected to field. This time, however, it backfired massively. Steve Smith hit a brilliant 143 en route to Australia posting a total of 481. England couldn't manage to match that score in their two innings, giving the tourists victory by an innings and 46 runs. But it was England who would take home the urn.