England win Edgbaston Ashes thriller by two runs

England have beaten Australia by two runs at Edgbaston in one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of Test cricket, levelling the Ashes series at 1-1.

The match ended on the morning of 7 August, when Michael Kasprowicz gloved a short ball from Steve Harmison down the leg side and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones took the catch. Australia had needed just three more runs to win.

A nerve-shredding finish

Australia began the fourth day needing 107 runs to win with only two wickets left, and most people expected England to wrap up victory quickly. Instead, Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Kasprowicz dragged their side to within touching distance of an astonishing win.

Warne was out hit wicket, stepping onto his stumps, with 62 still needed. But Lee and Kasprowicz kept going, adding 59 for the last wicket as the tension in the ground became almost unbearable. Every run was cheered by the small band of Australian supporters and met with groans from the home crowd.

When the final wicket fell, the ground erupted. Andrew Flintoff went straight to Lee, who was on his knees at the non-striker's end, to console him, an image that is already being hailed as one of the great moments of sportsmanship.

Flintoff's match

Flintoff was the hero of the Test. He scored 68 and 73 with the bat, hitting nine sixes in the match, and took seven wickets. His over on the third afternoon, in which he removed Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting, turned the game England's way.

England had been bowled out in their second innings for 182, leaving Australia 282 to win. Warne took ten wickets in the match, and Australia were in with a chance until the very end.

McGrath's injury

The Test had begun with a stroke of luck for England. Glenn McGrath, Australia's leading fast bowler, trod on a ball during the warm-up on the first morning and injured his ankle, ruling him out of the match.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting then chose to bowl first, and England made the most of it, scoring 407 runs on the first day. Marcus Trescothick, Kevin Pietersen and Flintoff all hit the ball hard, and the home side never looked back.

Series alive

The win means the series is level after Australia won the first Test at Lord's by 239 runs. England have not won the Ashes since 1986-87, but the Edgbaston victory has raised hopes that this could finally be the year.

Edgbaston has a reputation as England's favourite ground, and the crowd played its part, creating a noisy, passionate atmosphere over all four days. Tickets for the ground's Test matches are always in demand, and this game will only add to its reputation.

The third Test begins at Old Trafford on Thursday.