Sports

The 2015 Ashes story so far

England lead the series 2-1 as the fourth Test commences today

Afp August 06, 2015

england 039 s joe root and ian bell celebrate after adding the winning runs for england on the third day of the third ashes cricket test against australia at edgbaston on july 31 2015 photo afp

England's Joe Root and Ian Bell celebrate after adding the winning runs for England on the third day of the third Ashes cricket test against Australia at Edgbaston, on July 31, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

NOTTINGHAM: England lead Australia 2-1 in the five-match series heading into what could he a decisive fourth Test at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday.

Here AFP Sport looks at the story so far:

July 08-11

1st Test, Cardiff

England won by 169 runs

Joe Root, in with England struggling at 43 for three, is dropped on nought by Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin and goes on to make 134 in a first-innings total of 430.

Root also makes a valuable 60 in the second innings as England leave Australia with a stiff chase of 412 for victory.

It proved beyond the tourists, with Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali sharing six wickets between them as England win with more than a day to spare.

July 16-19

2nd Test, Lord's

Australia won by 405 runs

Another four-day finish sees Australia utterly dominant, with Steven Smith (215) and Chris Rogers (173) both making their Test-best scores in a huge first-innings total of 566 for eight declared.

England's alleged plan to prepare lifeless pitches in a bid to negate Australia's quicks proves futile as they are dismissed for 312 in reply.

Worse follows when, having been set a mammoth 509 for victory, England are skittled out for just 103 in 37 overs as left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson lets rip.

July 29-31

3rd Test, Edgbaston

England won by 8 wickets

After two four-day Tests comes a match that is all over inside three.

Australia captain Michael Clarke opts to bat first on a classic seaming pitch in overcast conditions and sees his side shot out for 136 as James Anderson, wicketless at Lord's, takes an Ashes-best six for 47.

The tourists fare better in their second innings but recalled fast bowler Steven Finn takes a Test-best six for 79 before Ian Bell, on his Warwickshire home ground, leads England to a modest target of 121 with his second fifty of the match.

To play:

Aug 06-10: 4th Test, Trent Bridge

Aug 20-24: 5th Test, The Oval

Ashes 2015 by the numbers:

Leading run-makers

England - Joe Root (313)

Australia - Chris Rogers (385)

Leading wicket-takers

England - Stuart Broad (12)

Australia - Josh Hazlewood (14)

Best batting performance

England: Joe Root (134, Cardiff)

Australia: Steven Smith (215, Lord's)

Best bowling

England: James Anderson (6-47, Edgbaston)

Australia: Mitchell Starc (5-114, Cardiff)