Product Description

It had been 18 years since England had last won the Ashes. Since then, Australia, their fiercest rivals and the world's best test team throughout this time, had prevailed. But this time England were on a roll. They had been unbeaten for two years and had a crop of young, talented players. That the series would be closer and more competitive than usual was the general view, but no one could have predicted that it would end so dramatically. At the end of the first test at Lords, English optimism had nosedived. Australia were supposed to be an ageing team in the twilight of their careers, but Glenn McGrath destroyed England's batsmen, save for the new kid on the block, Kevin Pietersen. Yet at the second test, England took command, first batting with carefree abandon, then setting a target that looked beyond Australia's capability when, with just two wickets left, they still needed 120 runs. On the last day of the second test, England finally won by just 2 runs. During this test match a new hero was born. Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff scored two fifties, and would star again with the ball in the third test at Old Trafford which, once again ended in high drama. This time England needed just one more wicket to win. McGrath and Brett Lee survived the final 24 balls as a watching nation sat gripped. Unperturbed, England made no mistake at Trent Bridge, this time winning in four days, but even here there was more high drama. When Australia were bowled out in their second innings, England needed only 129 runs to win. They got there, but lost seven wickets in doing so. Now it was official. This really was the greatest Ashes series of all time. No previous series could match this for drama, tension and excitement. England went to the Oval knowing that a draw would be enough to take home the Ashes after nine consecutive defeats to Australia. The eyes of the sporting world fell on a corner of south-east London to watch the drama unfold. Ashes Fever relives the incredible story of how England brought the best cricket team in the world down on their knees. It tells of the tension, the twists that shaped this unforgettable series. It explains the creation of new English sporting heroes and how cricket became the media focal point. Illustrated by 200 photographs, it relates how over three months the England cricket team created history in a manner that is unlikely ever to be repeated.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #354437 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

About the Author
Ian Stafford is a multiple award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster with ten books his name, including the William Hill Sports Book of the Year shortlisted Playgrounds of the Gods and the bestselling In Search of the Tiger.

Customer Reviews

Breathtaking Read
As an Aussie it was a hard pill to swallow losing the ASHES. Having lived, breathed and watched almost every ball of the whole Australian Tour it was gut wrenching stuff to finally, after so long, not have bragging rights on the Ashes!

What a series! What a ride! When I saw this book I didnt think it would let me relive some of the amazing moments I had over the summer, how wrong was I? This book is brilliant, sensational, I really dont know how to describe it. The pictures are unbelievable, some amazing photography. The writing is brilliant. Having so many quotes in the book was brilliant, from Vaughan to Ponting, Golchrist to Jones, it doesnt get any better. I would not (and have not) have any objection whatsoever in recommending this book to anyone, australian or english, quick simply, it was the best thing I have found so far to take me back to that wonderful feeling of ASHES 2005!

a terrific momento
Must admit I'm only at the end of chapter two and maybe Ian Stafford is still hoping for an Aussie victory, he seems more than a little biased towards the Aussies. Having said that I am enjoying every minute of his commentary-style writing. It is worth it for the pics alone. The book is extremely well-laid out and even includes the final scoreboards for each test. A terrific momento of the best Ashes series in a long time.

Beautiful Collection of Ashes Memories
This book is packed full of beautiful colour glossy images of this summer's Ashes success over Australia. As somebody who takes photographs seriously I really appreciated the quality of the images in this book. Not only are there images of the players in action but other images showing scenes that we may not otherwise see. For example the image where Australia's Matthew Hayden is meditating at the wicket or the image of England's Kevin Pietersen on the England balcony wearing dubious white sunglasses. My favourite action image shows Australia's Brett Lee running in to bowl another ninety mile an hour plus ball. Among other impressive photographs are the ones showing off the grounds that were the platform for the cricketing action.

One photograph that is sadly missing is the iconic scene where Andrew Flintoff is bending down to console a distraught Brett Lee just after England have won the second test by two runs at Edgbaston on Sunday 7th August. I simply cannot understand why this image is missing. But I have to admit that it must have been a very special photographer to have the vision to take this particular image while all the celebrations were taking place among the England players. Such a glaring omission though should not put anybody off from obtaining this book which you will cherish for years to come as something to remind you of the glorious summer when England finally regained the Ashes.