5 best performances by spinners in Ashes

Arguably the fiercest of Test battle on the cricket field, the Ashes has over the years provided some incredible bowling and batting performances. It has seen knocks of grit and intimidating spells of some great fast bowling.

But virtuoso display by the spinners deserve praise considering that pitches in both, England and Australia are not as spin-friendly as those in the subcontinent. It takes a special effort for a spinner to dominate an Ashes Test. So, let's have a look at five such Ashes performances by spinners.

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#1 Jim Laker

Jim Laker picked up an astounding 19 wickets in a match for England in Ashes 1956

Ashes 1956, Match figures: 19-90

Scorecard: England 459; Australia 84 and 205 (f/o) (England won by an innings and 170 runs)

Jim Laker played 46 Tests and picked up 193 wickets for England. The legendary English off-spinner Laker was in tremendous form in the 1956 Ashes. He had already picked up 20 wickets in the first three games and was looking dangerous.

In the fourth game at Old Trafford, Laker achieved the unthinkable as he completely ravaged the Australian batting lineup in both the innings picking up an astounding 19 wickets - 9 in the first innings and all 10 in the second. Laker's name was etched in gold in cricket's history books. England won the game comprehensively by an innings and 170 runs.

Consequently, it proved to be the deciding game of the tournament as England won the series 2-1. As a tribute to his staggering performance, this game was famously called the 'Laker's game'.

63 years later, the record still stands. Only Anil Kumble came close to achieving this feat when he picked up 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan in the year 1999.

#2 Stuart MacGill

Stuart MacGill was excellent in Ashes 1999

Ashes 1999, Match figures: 12-107

Scorecard: Australia 322 and 184; England 220 and 188 (Australia won by 98 runs)

An unlucky cricketer, Stuart MacGill was a genius leg-spinner who remained under the shadow of Shane Warne. With over 200 wickets in 44 matches, MacGill never failed to impress when given a chance.

Ashes 1999. Going into the fifth Test -- though Australia were leading the series 2-1 -- they had been shocked in the fourth match and were still brooding over it.

With the momentum against the Aussies and the prospect of 2-2 series real, the team management decided to go with a three-pronged spin attack -- with Warne making a comeback to join off-spinner Colin Miller and MacGill at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

MacGill picked up a five-for in the first innings to give Australia a healthy lead of over 100 runs. But England fought their back into the game with some brilliant bowling and needed 287 in their second innings to win the Test. Again, it was MacGill who came to Australia's rescue as he spun a web around the English batsmen, picking up seven wickets to lead Australia to a convincing win.

#3 Shane Warne

Shane Warne was at its peak in Ashes 2005

Ashes 2005, Match figures: 10-162

Scorecard: England 407 and 182; Australia 308 and 279 (England won by 2 runs)

The maestro of leg-spin bowling Shane Warne was at the zenith of his form in the Ashes 2005 series. While England went on to win the urn thanks to Flintoff's tenacity and Peterson's audacity, Warne's performance stood out as he gave a dazzling display of spin bowling.

The second game played at Birmingham was an enthralling contest that went down to the wire. In the end, it was England who managed to hold the nerves better and won the game by just 2 runs.

Warne was the destroyer-in-chief in both the innings picking up 4 in the first and 6 in second innings. His mesmerizing bowling helped restrict the target for Australia to a manageable 282.

It was this match where Warne bowled the 'magic ball' to Andrew Strauss that pitched well outside off and turned square to hit the leg stump.

#4 Nathan Lyon

Natha Lyon's consistency has been the key in Ashes 2019

Ashes 2019, Match figures: 9-161

Scorecard: Australia 287 and 487/7d; England 374 and 146 (Australia won by 251 runs)

A few days back, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon equalled the great Dennis Lillee's tally of 355 Test wickets. It is his shrewdness, adaptability and ability to get a large number of revolutions on the ball that helps him pick wickets on any track.

Having won the 2019 ODI World Cup, England had the momentum going into Ashes 2019. Against all odds, the fierce Aussies mercilessly defeated England by 251 runs in the first game at Birmingham. Lyon bowled beautifully in the first innings picking 3 wickets. In the second innings, he marauded the England batting lineup and foiled its plans of a historic victory picking up 6 wickets.

The batting genius Steve Smith played two absolutely awe-inspiring innings in the match.

#5 Graeme Swann

Graeme Swann had a beautiful bowling action

Ashes 2009, Match figures: 8-158

Scorecard: England 332 and 373/9d; Australia 160 and 348 (England won by 197 runs)

A smooth, graceful and copybook style bowling action and conventional off-spin bowling in an era where cricket was full of mystery bowlers, Graeme Swann redefined simplicity in cricket.

The captain's go-to man, Swann provided breakthroughs when they were most needed. In Ashes 2009, going into the 5th Test at the Oval, England and Australia were level at one win each. Swann and Broad ripped the Australian batting to shreds with their bowling in the first innings picking up 4 and 5 wickets respectively and giving England a massive lead of 182 runs. In the second innings too, Swann lead the attack picking up 4 wickets to seal the game and thus the series for England.

Note that Swann also scored a quick-fire 63 in the second innings to help England set a big target.