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[tim2000s]

Yes, it was 2005 when England regained the Ashes from Australia after a long hiatus (and I was at the Oval to watch the Pietersen 158* and the reclaiming of the urn). They've changed hands multiple times since then and this summer, I suspect that they won't remain on English soil.

But have the bad old days of English Cricket returned? The side is certainly not as impressive as that one was on the bowling (or maybe batting) fronts.

Do you remember those moments in that series that brought cricket back to life in England? What you were doing when Freddie got that wicket at Edgbaston to end Brett Lee's spirited refusal to give up? When the Ashes were finally won? Praying for rain at the Oval so that we'd get that little urn?

It was a great series. Perhaps the most thrilling ever. Can this summer's come anywhere close to that one?

[19reading87]

For me I'll never forget being at the oval on the 5th day seeing KP smash 158 and Emgland lift the Ashes once again!

Will be with me till my dying day that!!

[uknsaunders]

I attended the dullest day of cricket that summer - Day 1 at Trent Bridge. 200 odd for 4 rain stopped play. Day was summed up by Vaughan getting out to Ponting. I might still be on the ashes videos, sitting below the Richie Benuads.

[RageofKlugman]

I can't imagine this year's series being as close or as exciting, but who knows? I remember watching the final day at Edgbaston as one of the most nerve-shredding experiences of my entire life. When Jones dropped that chance at third man with the Aussies still needing fifteen or so to win I really thought England had some how managed to blow it.

[jamielsn15]

The things that stick in my mind from that series;

1. 'Working' from home on the first day of the first test and watching Langer and Ponting get hit - as much excitement from that session of play as disappointment from the remainder of that test.
2. Harmison's ball to Clarke
3. Ponting's run out
4. Being at the gym and watching the tense finish where the Aussies batted out for the draw
5. being allowed to have the TV on at work to watch the final day of the Oval test and being on edge watching the wickets fall.
6. Rushing home on the same day to watch KP swatting to all parts
7. Speaking to friends in the following weeks and months and deciding to get back into playing cricket after 7 years.  We joined the local T20 league the following summer and have played tirelessly ever since

Great memories of a fantastic series

[ppccopener]

many great memories of that, Simon Jones(remember him) taking out Clarke's off stump with an inswinger he shouldered arms to

but the abiding image has to be a bloke holding a sign in the crowd saying

'I MISSED MY WEDDING FOR THIS'

sums everything up.

[WalkingWicket37]

I remember a few things very vividly from that series.

I went to the T20 at the Rose Bowl where we won by 100 runs. Set the tone for the series.

The Aussies were 90-5 at Lord's going into lunch, England meant business.
Then it all went wrong 

England's fightback in the 2nd test, that almost never was. True edge of your seat stuff.

The Aussies drawing the 3rd test and celebrating, when did that ever happen?

England winning the 4th test, Giles and Hoggy seeing us over the line. Could it really happen?

That game, Pietersen 158 and Gilo making his first test 50 to secure the Urn!

And the open top bus tour:
The crowd chanting at Freddie
"You're p!ssed, and you know you are"

[iand123]

I'd not long given up cricket and was on holiday in Corfu with the missus. She couldn't understand why we spent most of the week sat in a bar watching cricket. Sparked my enthusiasm for the game which lead to me playing cricket again.

[Number4]

Keep the memories alive boys cause that's all they are... Maybe not watching this next ashes series may help too

[FattusCattus]

Half of us won't be able to watch it anyway, due to a lack of Sky or a lack of highlights!

[ProCricketer1982]

10 years since the greatest series, 5 top test matches and most importantly.. 10 years since the chance went begging to make cricket popular. It was the series that set myself on the road to playing the game after simply knowing about the game but never playing or watching it. Flintoff, KP, Tresco, Jones... Legends

It was also a great series because I don't remember anyone 'hating' the aussies.. There was respect between teams, people looked forward to watching players like Warne, McGrath, Ponting as much as Flintoff, KP etc.

[Tailendfielder]

Yes, it was 2005 when England regained the Ashes from Australia after a long hiatus (and I was at the Oval to watch the Pietersen 158* and the reclaiming of the urn). They've changed hands multiple times since then and this summer, I suspect that they won't remain on English soil.

But have the bad old days of English Cricket returned? The side is certainly not as impressive as that one was on the bowling (or maybe batting) fronts.

Do you remember those moments in that series that brought cricket back to life in England? What you were doing when Freddie got that wicket at Edgbaston to end Brett Lee's spirited refusal to give up? When the Ashes were finally won? Praying for rain at the Oval so that we'd get that little urn?

It was a great series. Perhaps the most thrilling ever. Can this summer's come anywhere close to that one?

I was in the eric hollis biting my nails when we won at edgebaston!

[Seniorplayer]

I watched every single  ball of the series mostly on the edge of my seat.

[Alvaro]

Ponting's hundred at OT was marvellous. I've rarely seen pull shots played so brilliantly. His reaction to getting out showed what sport is all about. He really felt he'd dropped a bollock to expose McGrath to the last few overs.

Of course, at the time I thought it was hilarious. In hindsight, it shows what a great player Ponting was, and how even he couldn't suppress the English attack over 5 Tests.

[skip1973]

I remember Mcgrath getting injured, umpires toasting Damien Martyn a few times, poms cheating with substitutes, murray mints, dropped catches ha ha ha, was a great series, lost a lot of sleep. Breathed a lot of life back into cricket.