5 underrated performances in Ashes history

#1 Monty Panesar and James Anderson (1st Test, 2009)

Anderson and Panesar showed great character with the bat

Australia started off the 2009 Ashes dominantly. They managed to gain a big lead of 239 after posting a mammoth total of 674 in their first innings in reply to England’s 435.

Even in the second innings, they continued to dominate as they had England on the mat at 70/5 on the fifth day with almost 80 overs left. Paul Collingwood played a gutsy knock of 74 after batting for almost 6 hours. When he fell with almost 12 overs still remaining in the day, England’s chances of securing a draw were low.

Panesar was England’s number eleven. When the left-arm spinner walked out to join Anderson after Collingwood’s dismissal, an Australia win looked inevitable. But the two tailenders managed to do the unthinkable. They helped England escape with a draw by playing out 11.3 overs.

This draw went a long way in deciding the result of the series as England managed to win 2-1 and regained the Ashes.