The Fight for the Ashes 2001
The Story of the 2001 England v. Australia Series
Jonathan Rice

Foreword by David Gower

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A hugely readable account of the 2001 Ashes series, with a foreword by David Gower and illustrated throughout by Patrick Eagar

The Test series between England and Australia was the most eagerly awaited of recent times. After successful winter tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka and a shared home series against Pakistan, the England team and its management were looking forward to challenging Australia, confident that they would give a good account of themselves. Some were even talking of winning back the Ashes that had been lost in 1989.

The Australians arrived in England after an indifferent series in India where their long run of sixteen successive Test victories was ended. But they were still reigning world champions and their probable Test eleven would include six of the world's leading batsmen and the two best bowlers.

Chance can play a part in a Test series. The toss of a coin and injuries to key players might have had some effect on England's performance. But as the 2001 Ashes series unfolded, the Australians quickly shattered any English hopes of victory with a dazzling, all-round display of power cricket and proved that they were one of the finest touring sides ever to have played in England.

Jonathan Rice tells the story of the 2001 Ashes Tests with vivid accounts of all the series-defining performances. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with pictures by the award-winning photographer Patrick Eagar. Looking back on the season, the author also presents a thoughtful analysis of the touring parties for the winter 2001/2002 tours to India and New Zealand and of the ECB's development plans for the future of the game.

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