How Australia won the 2017/18 Ashes series: An innings-by-innings account
Australia urn it
We look through some of the moments that have defined this Ashes series so far, leading to Australia retaking possession of the urn.
Updated on Jan 8, 2018 to include final two Tests. First published on Dec 12, 2017.
A costly mistake
Nathan Lyon punishes James Vince for attempting a quick single by running him out with a direct hit, dismissing England’s No.3 for 83, by far his best innings in an England shirt.
Captain Fantastic
Steve Smith pounds his chest after completing his hundred, eventually carrying his Australia side, almost single-handedly, to a first innings lead of 26 by posting an unbeaten 141.
Totally conclusive?
Tim Paine appeals for a key stumping of Moeen Ali, somewhat dubiously given out by the third umpire, ending England’s best chance of posting a competitive score for Australia to chase.
An unbeaten opening
Cameron Bancroft and David Warner exit the field having sealed a first Test win for Australia, reaching their target of 170 without losing a wicket.
A smiling Smith
Steve Smith can’t contain his laughter in the post-match press conference in Brisbane as Cameron Bancroft answers questions regarding Jonny Bairstow’s alleged pre-series head-butt.
Marsh makes crucial ton
Shaun Marsh celebrates his hundred in the opening innings of the second Test in Adelaide, anchoring Australia’s innings before they declared on 442-8.
Did you know Lyon's fly?
Nathan Lyon takes a magnificent one-handed return catch to dismiss Moeen Ali caught and bowled as England stutter to 227 all out.
Anderson gets his five-for
James Anderson holds aloft his souvenir after finally taking his first ever five-wicket haul in Australia as the tourists storm through the home side, bowling them out for 138 and keeping their hopes of getting a positive result alive.
Root relishes run-chase
England captain Joe Root’s unbeaten 67 at the close of play gives the away side a faint chance of victory, seeing off the Australian attack throughout the night session on day four.
Stumps sent flying
Jonny Bairstow plays all around a Mitchell Starc yorker which sends the flashing bails into the air and removes middle stump from the ground, summing up England’s final day in Adelaide as Australia took a 2-0 lead.
Malan's masterclass
Middlesex batsman Dawid Malan produced one of the gutsiest maiden Test centuries by an England batsmen on the first day in Perth, surviving numerous bouncers and then counter-attacking the Australian bowlers fantastically.
301 not out
Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh leave the pitch unbeaten overnight after putting on 301 runs to take the game well out of England’s reach heading into the final two days at the WACA.
Ball of the century?
Mitchell Starc wildly celebrates after a crack diverts his ball into the top of a helpless James Vince’s off stump, removing England’s highest scoring batsman in their final innings.
Wet patches can't save England
Groundsmen at the WACA attempt to dry the pitch as rain can only briefly delay England’s defeat in Perth as the Ashes must head down under.
Major scalp
An overjoyed Tom Curran celebrates his first official Test wicket for England, that of the Australian captain Steve Smith, after his dismissal of David Warner on day one of the fourth Test had been ruled a no-ball.
Double-centurion Cook
Alastair Cook raises his bat and helmet aloft after reaching his double-hundred at the MCG, a huge relief for the English batsman who had struggled for the majority of the tour.
Rain frustrates England
Persistent rain removes half of day four meaning England’s strong chance of winning the fourth Test in Melbourne starts to slip away.
Bradman-esque?
After another rain delay on day five, Steve Smith reaches his 23rd Test century, from just 110 innings, as Australia see the game out for the first draw of the series.
History-making numbers
Alastair Cook poses alongside the new board above a bar at the MCG to signify the new highest Test score for an opposing batsman against Australia. His unbeaten 244 is also the biggest ever score when carrying your bat in Tests.
Root's resilience broken
England captain Joe Root sinks to his knees as he is dismissed for 83 moments before stumps on day one in Sydney, meaning he once again fails to convert a fifty into a hundred.
Khawaja comes to the party
After an up and down series Usman Khawaja finishes on a high, hitting his maiden Ashes century on his way to 171 as Australia post a monster 649-7 in response to England’s 346.
Root retires ill
Joe Root arrives at the ground late on day five after spending the morning in hospital with a bug. He would eventually resume his innings to try and save the match before falling ill once more and not returning to the crease after lunch.
The end is nigh
Pat Cummins has Stuart Broad caught behind as Australia close in on a 4-0 series victory, one of the Australian fast bowler’s eight wickets in the match.
Cue celebrations
Australia’s celebrations commence with Steve Smith clutching the trophy after a convincing 4-0 scoreline means the home side reclaim the Ashes. England must lick their wounds and set their sights on the return series in 2019.