England entered the 2006/07 Ashes confident after their 2005 home triumph, but they were hit with a reality check in the opening Test in Brisbane.
Australia piled on over 600 in the opening two days, thanks to a Ricky Ponting masterclass, before crushing their guests by 277 runs.
After the thrashing at the Gabba, the English needed a fightback, and at Adelaide, they seem to have delivered.
Paul Collingwood made a masterful double century, ably aided by a Kevin Pietersen 150 as the duo recorded 310 for the fourth-wicket. The partnership was broken after almost six hours and eventually England declared on Day 2 on 6/551.
The pitch offered very little to bowlers, but England managed to take a narrow lead into the third innings. Matthew Hoggard’s seven-wicket haul helped the visitors bowl Australia out for 513. Ponting and Michael Clarke scored centuries, while Mike Hussey fell just short.
Despite losing Alastair Cook, England made it to the end of Day 4 one wicket down and with a lead of 97.
It was hard to imagine any result other than a draw, but Australia’s bowlers had other plans.
By lunch on Day 5, the script had flipped. England imploded spectacularly to lose nine wickets for just 60 runs. Shane Warne, who had been smashed for 167 in the first innings, roared back with 4-49. He bowled 32 overs unchanged on Day 5 to tear through a shellshocked batting lineup.
Australia knocked off the target of 168 with 3.1 overs to spare. Hussey finished on 61*, while Ricky Ponting made 49. The crowd erupted as Hussey pierced the covers for victory.
Amazing Adelaide wasn’t just a win; it was the moment Australia broke England’s spirit. No team had ever declared on 550 and lost and it opened the gates for the 2006/07 whitewash.