In the last of our Throwback Thursday series we recall the 2013 Ashes Test including a see-saw battle, two superb centuries and a match-winning spell by one of England’s finest bowlers
Stuart Broad is no stranger to almost herculean spells of bowling in Test cricket and the match-winning burst against Australia in 2013 might be among the best.
From a comfortable 167/2, the Aussies fell to 224 all out as the pace bowler completed an innings haul of 6/50.
Together with Tim Bresnan, the pair rattled through the final eight batsmen just before a threatening weather front closed in at the end of Day Four.
Having regained the Ashes coming into the match, England delighted the North East crowd by securing them outright on Durham turf.
It was not all plain sailing as batting first, England suffered a mini-collapse of their own, reduced from 149/2 to 238/9 at the end of Day One, largely thanks to spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon had bowled well with little to show for his efforts at Old Trafford but got just rewards at Chester-le-Street, leading from the front with 4/42.
England skipper Alistair Cook registered a half-century and number three Jonathan Trott compiled 49, but the home batsmen were troubled by Lyon’s flight, guile and changes of pace.
After removing the latter, Lyon’s capture of Kevin Pietersen was a big one as the attacking batsmen went after the spinner, and his departure sparked the run of wickets.
Ian Bell gifted his wicket after tea and Australia’s pace bowlers chipped in throughout the rest of the session to reduce England from a promising position.
Australia’s collapse on the following day came through the top order but Chris Rogers held it together and after finally receiving adequate support from Shane Watson, the opener went on to record a maiden Test ton.
Broad had the Aussies reeling at 76/4 but Rogers doggedly remained and provided one of the summer’s most heart-warming stories, scoring a ton just shy of his 36th birthday after a long and distinguished first-class career.
Two more wickets for Broad secured his five-for but the visitors had a first innings lead of 32 – and a fired up Ryan Harris, Australia’s best seamer on the tour, rattled through the top three wickets.
Cue another important century from Warwickshire batsman Bell. Ably supported by Pietersen and then Bresnan, the classy middle-order batsman closed Day Three on 103* and an ominous-looking lead of 202.
England would extend that to 298 with a useful lower-order contribution from Graeme Swann (30*), setting Australia 299 for victory.
Even though the Ashes were no longer on the line, pride was very much at stake and the opening batsmen soon silenced the crowd with a century opening stand.
And when Rogers was dismissed for 49, David Warner and Usman Khawaja kept the England attack at bay; in reaching 147/1, Australia had manoeuvred themselves into position as favourites.
Swann dismissed Khawaja lbw with one that did not grip and turn off the pitch, but Warner carried on scoring freely in one of his better Test innings up to this point.
Yet from a position of strength 168/2, the collapse to 224 all out was part-Broad, part-surrender as the fight dissipated from the Australians.
Brensnan’s dismissal of Warner, finding the edge with one that lifted, started the rot and Broad carried on to record an 11-wicket haul for the match.
As the dark clouds converged around the ground, the rain miraculously held out and a ray of light beamed through as Peter Siddle hoisted Broad into the air and James Anderson’s straightforward catch confirmed England’s victory by 74 runs.
The 2013 Ashes were won outright and England’s 100% record at Chester-le-Street continued; six from six.