The Ashes, Test cricket's most storied and ferocious rivalry, returns on 21 November, and to get you in the mood we thought we'd Test your knowledge with a quiz. While batting heroes often steal the headlines, it is the bowlers who frequently decide the fate of an Ashes series, producing spells of devastating accuracy and pace to rip through a batting order. Since the legendary 2005 contest, a select group of bowlers from both England and Australia have etched their names into Ashes folklore by taking a five-wicket haul in an innings.
So, can you name every single one of them? It's a tougher challenge than it might seem, a true examination of your cricketing memory. We're looking for every player who has taken five or more wickets in a single innings in a men's Ashes Test match from the epic 2005 series up to, and including, the thrilling 2023 series. No Stuart Broad? He retired with more Ashes five-fors than anyone in this period, so he's an obvious one to get you started.
The Art of the Ashes Five-For
Taking a five-wicket haul in any Test is a significant achievement, but doing so in the cauldron of an Ashes contest carries a unique weight. The pressure is immense, the scrutiny absolute. These performances often swing the momentum of an entire match, and sometimes, the series itself. Think of Glenn McGrath's relentless line and length, Andrew Flintoff's heroic efforts, or Shane Warne's magical leg-spin. As the great Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, whose own incredible career featured so many such hauls, once said of the contest, "The Ashes is the pinnacle. It's what you play for."
The period since 2005 has seen a fascinating evolution in bowling. We've witnessed the dominance of swing and seam in English conditions, the raw pace of Australia's fearsome attacks on hard, bouncy tracks, and the occasional, match-winning intervention of a spinner. This list reflects that diversity, featuring fast bowlers, swing artists, and a couple of pivotal spin performances.
A Roll Call of Bowling Heroes
Without further ado, here is the chronological list of every bowler to have achieved a five-wicket haul in a men's Ashes Test since the start of the 2005 series. The list is a who's who of modern bowling greats and a few memorable cameos. We've broken it down by series to help jog your memory. Remember, we're counting five-wicket hauls in an innings, not ten-wicket match hauls.
The 2005 Ashes (England 2-1)
This legendary series, won by England for the first time in 18 years, was defined by incredible individual bowling spells.
- Glenn McGrath (AUS) - 5/53 at Lord's
- Shane Warne (AUS) - 6/46 at Edgbaston
- Andrew Flintoff (ENG) - 5/78 at Edgbaston
- Simon Jones (ENG) - 5/44 at Old Trafford
- Shane Warne (AUS) - 5/118 at Trent Bridge
- Andrew Flintoff (ENG) - 5/78 at Trent Bridge
- Shane Warne (AUS) - 6/124 at The Oval
The 2006-07 Ashes (Australia 5-0)
A brutal whitewash Down Under, dominated by a relentless Australian attack.
- Stuart Clark (AUS) - 5/55 at the Gabba
- Glenn McGrath (AUS) - 6/50 at the WACA
- Stuart Clark (AUS) - 3/49 at the MCG*
The 2009 Ashes (England 2-1)
England regained the urn on home soil, with key contributions from several bowlers.
- Ben Hilfenhaus (AUS) - 4/60 at Cardiff*
- James Anderson (ENG) - 5/80 at Lord's
- Mitchell Johnson (AUS) - 5/69 at Headingley
- Stuart Broad (ENG) - 5/37 at The Oval
The 2010-11 Ashes (England 3-1)
England's famous away victory was built on a formidable bowling unit.
- Peter Siddle (AUS) - 6/54 at the Gabba
- James Anderson (ENG) - 4/44 at Adelaide*
- Mitchell Johnson (AUS) - 6/38 at the WACA
- Chris Tremlett (ENG) - 5/87 at the SCG
The 2013 Ashes (England 3-0)
A series where England's bowlers, particularly their swing masters, held sway.
- Peter Siddle (AUS) - 5/50 at Trent Bridge
- Graeme Swann (ENG) - 5/44 at Lord's
- Ryan Harris (AUS) - 5/72 at Chester-le-Street
- Stuart Broad (ENG) - 5/71 at Chester-le-Street
The 2013-14 Ashes (Australia 5-0)
Mitchell Johnson's series. He produced one of the most dominant fast-bowling performances in living memory.
- Mitchell Johnson (AUS) - 5/42 at the Gabba
- Mitchell Johnson (AUS) - 7/40 at Adelaide
- Stuart Broad (ENG) - 6/81 at Perth
- Nathan Lyon (AUS) - 5/50 at Melbourne
- Ryan Harris (AUS) - 5/25 at Melbourne
The 2015 Ashes (England 3-2)
A topsy-turvy series where both attacks had their moments of glory.
- Mitchell Starc (AUS) - 5/114 at Cardiff
- Stuart Broad (ENG) - 8/15 at Trent Bridge
- Mitchell Marsh (AUS) - 5/46 at The Oval
The 2017-18 Ashes (Australia 4-0)
Another dominant home performance from Australia, with their pace trio firing.
- Mitchell Starc (AUS) - 5/88 at the WACA
- Pat Cummins (AUS) - 5/83 at the SCG
The 2019 Ashes (Drawn 2-2)
A classic series, featuring the unforgettable Ben Stokes innings at Headingley and some magnificent bowling.
- Stuart Broad (ENG) - 5/86 at Lord's
- Pat Cummins (AUS) - 5/80 at Old Trafford
The 2021-22 Ashes (Australia 4-0)
A one-sided affair in Australia, with Scott Boland producing one of the most sensational debut spells in history.
- Mitchell Starc (AUS) - 4/37 at the Gabba*
- Nathan Lyon (AUS) - 4/91 at Adelaide*
- Scott Boland (AUS) - 6/7 at the MCG
- Cameron Green (AUS) - 5/27 at Hobart
The 2023 Ashes (Drawn 2-2)
A breathtakingly competitive series that went down to the wire, featuring some modern greats at their peak.
- Nathan Lyon (AUS) - 4/149 at Edgbaston*
- Stuart Broad (ENG) - 5/51 at Lord's
- Pat Cummins (AUS) - 6/91 at Leeds
- Mitchell Starc (AUS) - 5/78 at Old Trafford
- Chris Woakes (ENG) - 5/62 at Headingley
- Stuart Broad (ENG) - 5/51 at The Oval
The Final Wicket: A Lasting Legacy
So, how many did you get? The list is a testament to the quality and durability of bowlers like Stuart Broad, Mitchell Johnson, and Shane Warne, who appear multiple times. It also highlights the emergence of new heroes like Pat Cummins and Scott Boland. These spells are the building blocks of Ashes history, the moments of individual brilliance that collectively write the narrative of this greatest of sporting contests. As we look ahead to the next chapter in November, one thing is certain: a new name will almost certainly be added to this prestigious list. As Australian captain Pat Cummins, himself a multiple entrant, put it after a decisive spell, "That's what you dream of as a kid, winning an Ashes Test for your country."