The nine greatest moments in Ashes history

Posted by , 08 July 2009

Glenn McGrath injures himself playing Aussie Rules

Glenn McGrath injures himself playing Aussie Rules

  • #02

    David ‘Keg on Legs’ Boon drinking 52 cans of beer,

  • Introduction
  • #09

    Aussies back themselves at 500-1 (to lose)

When? Just before the second Test of the 2005 Ashes. Australia won the first Test by 239 runs, Glenn McGrath took nine wickets and fear was struck deep into the hearts of England fans. But by then we were kind of used to being embarrassed by the Aussies, so it was more like quiet and polite acceptance.

Where? Wherever the Australians were warming up before the second Test match, which they were doing by playing a friendly game of Aussie Rules rugby .

What happened? Australia's best bowler, Glenn McGrath, got over excited and tore his ankle ligaments by standing on a cricket ball. He was replaced by the less-than-adequate Michael Kasprowicz. England won the match by two runs, and it would be churlish not to admit that McGrath's absence was a massive advantage, and a major factor in England going on to win the Ashes. But... whatever. A country rejoiced. A Queen wept. A Freddie Flintoff got wankered. It was and will remain the only time that English people appreciated the existence of Aussie Rules.

See also: The worst sports injuries of all time.

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