The last Ume the Ashes rivals met in England, in 2005, they produced a thrilling contest.

Below is a review of the "greatestseries of all-time". First Test, Lord's: Australia (190 and 384) beat England (155 and 180) by 229 runs. England, buoyed by series wins over New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa, had high 'hopes of winning a first Ashes campaign in 18 years.

In front of a fever-pitch crowd they bowled Australia out for 190 on the first day with fast bowler Stephen Harmison, who drew blood from the cheek of Aussie captain Ricky Ponting, taking five for 43.

But, not for the first time, England collapsed against Glenn McGrath.

They were dismissed for 155, paceman McGrath taking five for 53, with England's only consolation Kevin Pietersen's 57 on Test debut.

However, Pietersen dropped Michael Clarke whose 91 helped Australia set England an improbable 420 to win. Legspin great Shane Warne and McGrath then did for the hosts despite Pietersen's second fifty of the match.

Second Test, Edgbaston: England (407 and 182) beat Australia (308 and 279) by two runs.

England squared the series but Australia, who hadn't lost an Ashes campaign in 18 years so nearly tooka 2-0 lead.

There was drama even before the match started when

McGrath turned his ankle on a stray ball on the outfield during a warm-up session and was ruled out

Nevertheless, Ponting still chose to field first only for England to make 407 on the first day with Marcus Tiescothick top-scoring with 90.

In reply, Australia were bowled out for 308 with reverse-swing causing their batsmen problems.

England collapsed in their second innings to 131 for nine before Andrew Flintoff, supported by Simon Jones, counter-attacked during a blistering knock of 73 in 86 balls four sixes.

Flintoff then produced an outstanding spell of fast bowling to remove Ponting and, at the end of the third day Australia, needing 282 to win. were all but out of the game at 175 for eight.

But Warne and Brett Lee dug in with the bat and after Michael Kasprowicz --McGrath's replacement -- had been dropped they were just one hit away from victory. But Kasprowicz gloved a catch down the legside off Harmison and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones clung on to give England a famous victory.

The sight of Flintoff consoling Lee, who finished on 43 not out, after the match became an iconic image.

Third Test, Old Trafford: England 444 and 280-6 dec) drew with Australia (302 and 371-9).

England captain Michael Vaughan, perhaps buoyed by victory at Edgbaston, returned to his form of2002/03. when he

scored three centuries in Australia, with a superb 166. Meanwhile Wame became the first man to take 600 Test wick-ets when he dismissed Trescothick.

England finished on 444 and, in reply, Warne fell just short of a maidenTest hundred when he made 90.

The hosts were 142 ahead on first innings, after Simon Jones took a career-best six for 53 and Andivw miuum then made 106 as the hosts left Australia an unlikely 423 to win.

Thousands were locked out of the ground on the final day. Those who did get in saw Ponting make a majestic 156 before, after nearly seven hours at the crease, he fell to Harmison.

His exit gave England hope of victory but the last-wicket duo of Lee and McGrath survived as Australia salvaged a draw.

Fourth Test, Trent Bridge: England (477 and 129-7) beat Australia (218 and 387) by three wickets.

Flintoff starred with the bat, making 102 in a total of 477 as McGrath missed his second match of the series, this time with an elbow injury. In reply, Australia were bowled out for 277, Strauss taking a brilliant slip catch to get rid of Adam Gilchrist. Vaughan enforced the follow-on but Simon Jones broke down.

Substitute Gary Pratt, on the field legitimately, then ran out Ponting who ranted on the way back to the pavilion at England coach Duncan Fletcher following a series where the hosts had

stretched the rules on replacement fielders to breaking point.

England were set 129 to win and Wame then inspired a slump that saw them decline to 116 for seven before Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard held firm.

Fifth Test, The Oval: England (373 and 355) drew with Australia (367 and 4-0).

England played safe by bring-ing in batsman Paul Collingwood for the injured Simon Jones.

The match was all but level after both first innings, Strauss scoring a century and Matthew Hayden one for Australia.

Come the last day the Ashes were still up for grabs but Pietersen, dropped on nought by wicketkeeper Gilchrist and 15 by Warne, made the game safe for England with a maiden Test hundred of 158 while Giles provided vital support with a gutsy fifty.