One day highlights: England's fighting quality, Australian vulnerability and thrilling cricket, such as the tied NatWest series final, were hints of everything that was to come.

13 June (Rose Bowl, Twenty20) Australia skittled for 79 by England when crashing to 100-run loss
18 June (Cardiff, NatWest Series): Minnows Bangladesh beat Australia by five wickets
19 June (Bristol, NatWest Series): Kevin Pietersen's 91 guided England to a three-wicket win
23 June-2 July (NatWest Series) Australia and England share a thrilling tie in the final
7-12 July (Nat West Challenge) Aussies hit back for 2-1 series win

Prediction: Glenn McGrath forecast a 5-0 Ashes win for Australia

England odds to win 2005 Ashes before 1st Test: 5/1 (Betfair) Full Tour results

Justin Langer column "The most eagerly awaited Test series for a very long time is on our doorsteps"

Simon Jones exclusive column England bowler on the team's Twenty20 celebrations

Jonathan Agnew columns Search for BBC cricket correspondent's views

Australia 190 & 384 England 155 & 180 Australia win by 239 runs Full scorecard

First Test highlights

Man of the Match Glenn McGrath, match figures of 9-82

Tale of the match: Seventeen wickets fell on the first day as fortunes swung from England to Australia. The Aussies eventually cruised to victory as the hosts lost their last five second wicket innings for just 22 runs.
Key moment: Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath took his 500th Test wicket in a devastating opening-day spell of 5-21
Stat: Catches win matches - England dropped seven of them.
Headline: 'You bunch of drips' (The Mirror)
England's odds to win 2005 series: 12/1 rank outsiders.

PHOTO GALLERIES Day one photos Series opens explosively with 17 wickets Day Two | Day Three | Day Four

WHAT THEY SAID Justin Langer column "We didn't leave the Lord's changing room until midnight" Simon Jones' exclusive column

WHAT YOU SAID "Another dismal showing from England which bodes ill for the rest of the series" - AR Test Match Special messageboard

England 407 & 182 Australia 308 & 279 England win by two runs Full scorecard

Second Test highlights

Man of the Match Andrew Flintoff's 141 runs and six wickets - shades of Botham

Tale of the match: A thriller Hitchcock would have relished. England dominated after being sent into bat. Australia were set a ground record chase of 282, and looked finished at 175-8 but Shane Warne and Brett Lee dug in and England's nerves were shredded before snatching a two-run victory.
Key moment: England's odds to win series cut to 9/1 from 12s when Australia lose bowler Glenn McGrath after he injures ankle treading on ball in training before match.
Stat: Narrowest runs-margin win in 128-year history of the Ashes.
Headline: 'At last' (The Independent)
England's odds to win 2005 series: 3/1 outsiders.

PHOTO GALLERIES Fourth day drama Pictures as England clinch an amazing win Day One | Day Two | Day Three

WHAT THEY SAID Simon Jones' column "We went to an Aussie bar to celebrate our Edgbaston Test win" Justin Langer column (2nd Test)

WHAT YOU SAID "Brilliant, I couldn't watch! Well done lads and well done to the Aussies" - TD Test Match Special messageboard

England 444 & 280-6dec Australia 302 & 371-9 Match drawn Full scorecard

Third Test highlights

Man of the Match Gritty captain Ricky Ponting's innings of 156 saved his side.

Tale of the match: Australia grimly held on to claim a tense draw despite trailing by 142 after Simon Jones tore into their first innings with 6-53. Skippers Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting both topped 150 runs, but the Aussie's dismissal with four overs left meant his last two men faced 24 agonising deliveries.
Key moment: Rain on the third day washed away England's chances of victory.
Stat: First time in 10 years Australia forced to bat out a draw against their Ashes rivals.
Headline: 'Coulda, shoulda, still might...' (The Times)
England's odds to win 2005 series: 3/1 outsiders.

PHOTO GALLERIES Day Five photos Australia defy everything England throw at them Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

WHAT THEY SAID Justin Langer column "I can't remember celebrating a draw before in my career" Simon Jones' exclusive column

WHAT YOU SAID "Thanks to all players of both teams for a great game" - A Test Match Special messageboard

England 477 & 129-7 Australia 218 & 387 England win by three wickets Full scorecard

Fourth Test highlights

Man of the Match Andrew Flintoff hit the game's only century - 102 off 132 balls in first innings.

Tale of the match: Another nerve-jangling climax as England get the jitters after dominating with a big first innings. The Aussies followed on for the first time in 191 Tests but set a victory target of 129. England lost seven wickets before Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard proved unlikely batting heroes.
Key moment: Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting lost his cool after being run out by a substitute fielder.
Stat: England's first win over Aussies at Trent Bridge since 1977.
Headline: 'Ricky Fined as Poms March on' (Brisbane Courier Mail)
England's odds to win 2005 series: 4/7 favourites.

PHOTO GALLERIES Day Four photos England win in nailbiting run chase Day One | Day Two | Day Three

WHAT THEY SAID Injured Simon Jones "The lads are relaxing while I'm stuck in an oxygen chamber" Justin Langer column

WHAT YOU SAID "On your knees for Giles and Hoggard, our heroes!" - A Test Match Special messageboard

England 373 & 335 Australia 367 & 4-0 Match drawn Full scorecard

Fifth Test highlights

Man of the Match Kevin Pietersen's maiden Test century came under the highest pressure

Tale of the match: Australia looked in control at 281-2 but then came the clouds and a devastating spell of bowling from Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard. England took an improbable six-run first innings lead and, after a nervy start on the final day, Kevin Pietersen calmed the jitters and ensured the party could start.
Key moment: Shane Warne dropping county colleague Pietersen on 15 in the second innings. He went on to make 158 to help secure the draw... and the Ashes.
Stat: The first time England have got their hands on that little urn since 1987.
Headline: 'They think it's all Oval - it is now!' (Daily Mirror)

PHOTO GALLERIES Day Five photos Celebratory scenes as England win the Ashes Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

WHAT THEY SAID Justin Langer column "Frankly, we watched in awe as Flintoff charged in for the entire first session" Simon Jones' exclusive column

WHAT YOU SAID "How symbolic that the removal of the bails officially decides the Ashes" - Dyn Test Match Special messageboard

Feature: Flintoff at the Ashes celebrations Positivity the key to my success - Pietersen Women's Ashes England beat Australia by six wickets to win the Ashes for the first time since 1963

You, them and us Your views, BBC reports and the parade participants England expects What Michael Vaughan's team must do to be the best Cricket's turn in the sun Ashes celebrations suggest cricket is back in the big time

Fans hail heroes England's cricketers soak up a celebratory atmosphere in London VOTE RESULTS Is England's Ashes win your sweetest ever sporting moment? Yes 44% No 56% 90301 Votes Cast Results are indicative and may not reflect public opinion Vote now closed

THE WINNING WOMEN England's Ashes heroines Connor delighted by historic win Women's Ashes 2005 FINAL ASHES EXTRAS Davo v Robbo England's Ashes parade photos England heroes celebrate Parade in pictures

ENGLISH VIEWS Simon Jones' exclusive column No rest for the victorious Vaughan's World Cup target Flintoff overwhelmed by win Gatting sets England new target Queen leads Ashes congratulations Sports stars' tributes to England

AUSTRALIAN VIEWS What now for Australia? Aussies admit best team won Ashes Australia 'lacked ruthless edge' Ponting backed by Aussie players England are world's best - Benaud