We just experienced an unforgettable Test series between the hosts England and the visitors India, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. It was the five-match Test series, where both teams never gave up without putting up their last fight, as the series ended in a 2-2 draw. Recently, former English cricketers Michael Atherton and Naseer Hussain spoke about the series and compared it to one of the greatest Test series the Ashes 2005. 

Ashes 2005 is a great example of Test cricket

Ashes 2005 is known as one of the greatest Test series in history, which the hosts England won by 2-1 to end their 16-year drought for the Ashes urn. It was a series of legends and high-quality battles in every moment. While it is hard to find a competitive Test series like the Ashes 2005, especially a long Test series, the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has impressed many cricket experts.

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England vs India Test series 2025: Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025

In the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, both England and India gave everything for the series. Those battles were so intense that the injured cricketers Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes couldn't put themselves out of the game. 

Former English captain Naseer Hussain recently asked his long-time Test teammate Michael Atherton, where the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 could challenge the Ashes 2005, which some have felt. In reply, Atherton refused to agree on it, but he also said that the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 would be one of the best series since the Ashes 2005. Atherton further added that the Ashes 2005 was a higher quality Test series, which can't be compared easily. 

Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, "No, I don't think the quality was as good as 2005. I don't think I'll see a better series than the 2005 Ashes. I just think one team on the rise, one great team on the decline, an emerging team, absolutely great players at the top of their game. But I think probably the best series since '05. I mean, the 2023 Ashes was a fantastic Ashes, wasn't it? But I probably put this one as the best series since 2005 because of those dramatic moments like Woakes and Rishabh Pant and the way the series twisted and turned. So I reckon probably the best series that I've covered since '05."

Nasser and Athers debate whether the recent England vs India series was as good as The 2005 Ashes? 💭 pic.twitter.com/zdnzqvBb6q

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 13, 2025

It was the second Ashes 2005 Test at Edgbaston in 2005. The excitement around the United Kingdom about the game was huge. Everyone had an eye on the Tests as Australia took a 0-1 lead in the opening fixture at Lord’s. The home side batted first and posted 407 runs on the board with several half-centuries in the first innings.

Australia also got several starts in the second innings, while Justin Langer ended with 82 runs, and Ricky Ponting, the leader, scored 61 runs. The Michael Vaughan-led side grabbed a 99-run lead before getting bundled out for just 182 runs in the third innings as Andrew Flintoff cracked 73 runs in 86 balls at a strike rate of 84.88.

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Then came the most famous over of the series from Flintoff. It was the 13th over of the fourth innings. Langer, the left-handed batter, pushed the very first ball of the over into the point region. The Lancashire all-rounder pulled the length back a little as it jagged back to the southpaw and disturbed the stumps.

Watch: Relive Andre Flintoff’s iconic Ashes 2005 over to dismiss Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer

The entire crowd went wild as the home side found its energy back. Ponting was the next batter at number three. He faced the first ball, which changed its direction and hurried on to the pads of the right-handed batter, as the umpire, Billy Bowden, shook his head. Flintoff kept the same line and length on the fourth ball as Ponting got an outside edge into the gully.

🗓️ On This Day in 2005…

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 Freddie Flintoff over 🚀

Iconic. pic.twitter.com/MUD3UbtpSq

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 6, 2025

Suddenly, there was an incredible change around the ground. Ponting was lucky to get away on the fifth delivery as the ball hit his pad outside the off-stump. But he couldn’t do much on the sixth and last delivery of the over. Before that, it was a no-ball that the batter left outside the off stump.

On the last ball, Flintoff got the ball on the fifth stump line as the Tasmania batter went for a huge drive and ended up getting an outside edge on the bat. The England bowler ended with figures of 4/79 in 22 overs as the visitors were bundled out for 279 runs. England leveled the series with a victory by two runs.