Panesar and Anderson secure a dramatic draw in 2009.
The first Test match of the Ashes series in 2009 signaled the start of a new era in Anglo-Aussie relationships and would be remembered for some resolute batting from James Anderson and Monty Panesar.
After the thrills of England winning the Ashes for the first time in 16 years in 2005, things were back to normal when Australia gave the Three Lions a kick-in on home ground with a 5-0 thrashing in the return tour.
Following that victory – England’s worst series defeat in 85 years – several Australian greats retired from the game, including Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.
A new look side for the Aussies included two players who had recently destroyed South Africa in 2008 with bat and ball in Philip Hughes and Mitchell Johnson.
It wasn’t really known what to expect in the first five-day match at Cardiff, with the English confidently fielding two spinners in Panesar and Graeme Swann, before winning the toss and scoring 438 from their first innings.
However, this Australia side still had the experience, despite the retirements, of players such as captain Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich and Brad Haddin and a patient batting display saw the away side eventually declare on 674 – 239 runs ahead.
It looked like business as usual after a rain-interrupted fourth day led to England being 70-5 at lunch and day five looking as if the hosts would inevitably collapse to defeat.
Talisman Andrew Flintoff was taken, before Stuart Broad was next and Swann joined Paul Collingwood in the middle as the last line of defence.
Australian bowler Peter Siddle peppered the spinner with imposing deliveries and despite putting on a 62-run partnership, he too was dismissed.
England had to survive 18 overs with two wickets intact and Collingwood the only recognised batsman – it was unlikely but possible.
However, that optimism receded when seven overs later Collingwood was dismissed and Panesar – not just the worst batsman in the Three Lions side but perhaps the whole of Test cricket – joined No.10 Anderson in the middle.
Ponting sensed victory and so did a disappointed English crowd, but almost beyond disbelief the pair stayed put.
Through blocks, shots and general desperation Panesar and Anderson held on, each ball getting a louder cheer from the Cardiff crowd when a wicket remained and each ball frustrating the Aussies.
At just gone 20 to seven in the evening Australia bowled their last of 69 balls at the partnership and against the odds the two talented bowlers, but decidedly average batsmen, had held on.
In one of those moments that bemuses non-cricket fans England celebrated the draw like they’d won the World Cup.
Watch the highlights of that incredible Test below:
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