If the 2005 Ashes had memes
Cast your mind back 15 years to the golden summer of 2005, when the world was, let's be honest, a much better place. No covid, no empty cricket grounds, just one long, hot summer of epic cricket.
The only thing that great summer lacked, was memes. So we thought we'd add a little 2020 to 2005.... What if the world of social media had been commonplace in the year England regained the Ashes for the first time in 18 years?
I present to you, the 2005 Ashes series through the medium of memes.
1. The First Test, Lord's
Australia were feeling confident after yet another win at Lord's in the first Test. It was beginning to look like business as usual for this legendary Australian team, their fans would have jumped straight onto their meme generators to remind their English counterparts of their woeful record at the home of cricket.
2. The Second Test, Edgbaston
"Jones, Bowden!...." - We all remember what happened in the second Test. England won an incredible match by just 2 runs.
There were enough remarkable moments to make a blockbuster movie. McGrath's injury, Flintoff's over to Ponting, Warne's unplayable delivery to Strauss and Freddie consoling Brett Lee after is was all over. It had everything, apart from memes:
3. The Third Test, Old Trafford
The Old Trafford Test came to a thrilling conclusion with Lee and McGrath holding out for the draw, but it was Simon Jones who made the headlines with an absolute beauty to remove Michael Clarke.
4. The Fourth Test, Trent Bridge
Finally, after all these years of pain, England had hopes of beating the Aussies and regaining the Ashes urn. Flintoff inspired the hosts to a 3-wicket victory, with the help of one very special substitute fielder....
5. The Fifth Test, The Oval
Everything to play for. Simply, England needed to draw to win the Ashes, Australia needed to win the draw the Ashes and therefore retain them. Vaughan went for the selection of Paul Collingwood over a young James Anderson and KP smashed 158. England win!
6. The Aftermath
With England having retained the Ashes there would still have been much point scoring to gain off the field. Thus, the meme war would commence.