On This Day in 2005 – Kevin Pietersen becomes Ashes hero as doubters eat words

Kevin Pietersen emerged as a hero of his adopted nation after scoring a maiden Test century which guided England to an historic Ashes victory and sparked party celebrations at The Oval and beyond on this day in 2005.
Two months after polarising opinion about his selection for the opening Test, Pietersen unified a cricket-mad population by providing almost single-handed defiance to Australia and ending England’s long wait for Ashes glory.
Since Mike Gatting’s side won the urn in 1986-87 notable figures like Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart, Michael Atherton and Darren Gough had tried and failed to break Australia’s dominance during eight successive series.
Some of them were in the 23,000 crowd, which rose as one to celebrate an outstanding success and possibly the biggest sporting achievement on home soil since the England football side lifted the World Cup at Wembley in 1966.

Pietersen enjoyed his share of fortune during his superb 158 – he was dropped on nought, 15 and 60 – but his 281 minutes of occupation at the crease ended Australian hopes of delivering another nerve-chilling finale and snatching the Ashes from England’s grasp at the last moment.
But by the time he was out even Australia had accepted the inevitable and had withdrawn Shane Warne, guilty of missing the easiest opportunity to remove Pietersen early in his innings, from their attack as England defiantly
progressed towards the draw they required to end 16 barren years without the Ashes.
Political leaders, including then Prime Minister Tony Blair, lined up to salute Michael Vaughan’s side, who were feted with a parade the following day from Mansion House to Trafalgar Square which was attended by tens of thousands of Londoners.
England’s celebrations went into the night and carried on for much of the next day following their 2-1 triumph in a series that is still fondly and often recalled 15 years on.
Latest
-
England
Marcus Trescothick says Andrew Flintoff ‘sprinkling gold-dust’ on England team
Flintoff was initially enlisted for four ODIs against New Zealand but has hung around for the Ireland series.
-
England
Axed Jason Roy urged to remain positive with World Cup role still a possibility
The big-hitting opener was replaced by Harry Brook in England’s squad for the World Cup.
-
England
ECB unable to commit to ICEC report’s equal pay targets for men and women
The ICEC report said women were treated as “second class citizens” in cricket.
-
England
ECB set to publish response to damning report on discrimination in cricket
Richard Thompson, chair of the ECB, unreservedly apologised when the ICEC’s findings were published in June.
-
England
Sam Hain reveals sleepless night before impressive England debut
The Warwickshire batter scored 89 to set up a win over Ireland in the second ODI.
-
England
Will Jacks pleased to take his chance to impress in England success
The batter made a dazzling 94 off 88 balls in the one-day international win over Ireland at Trent Bridge.
-
England
Sam Hain and Will Jacks star as new-look England beat Ireland at Trent Bridge
Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed collected four for 54 as Ireland were all out for 286.
-
England
Will Jacks and Sam Hain shine as England post 334 against Ireland
Jacks made 94 off 88 balls while Hain hit 89 in the second one-day international.
-
County Cricket
Surrey close on title as rivals Essex beaten by Liam Dawson-inspired Hampshire
The reigning champions are 20 points clear of second-placed Essex heading into the final round of fixtures.
-
England
Ben Duckett at peace with World Cup omission and looking forward to India series
The batter has switched focus to his next duel.