The Test was a dead rubber but it was cricket at its most compelling and signified England’s greatness to come
The dead-rubber England victory was something of a ritual during Australia’s long Ashes supremacy from 1989-2005, a feelgood finale signifying little. Think Phil Tufnell at the Oval in 1997, or Dean Headley at the MCG 16 months later – jaunty cameos with no wider meaning.
Sydney 2003 was different. Not just because it was Test cricket at its most compelling – close, fluctuating, full of subplots – but also because it signified a stirring in England’s cricketing mood, among us travelling thousands and in a team performance portending greater things to come. The road to 2005 began here.
Written by Tom Davies
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/11/my-favourite-game-australia-v-england-fifth-ashes-test-sydney-2003 under the title “My favourite game: Australia v England, fifth Ashes Test, Sydney 2003”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
