2005 Ashes Series
Jones played in two ODI matches of the NatWest Series in June - July, 2005. Jones took 2-53 in the abandoned 8th match at Edgbaston, before taking 1-45 in the final of the tournament, which ended in a tie.
Then, in the ODI series against Australia in the lead-up to the Ashes, Jones played in two of the three matches of the series, but failed to take a single wicket.
In the first Test of the Ashes series at Lord's, Jones took 2-48 in the first innings, in which Australia were restricted to just 190. Jones also managed 20 not out off 21 deliveries, helping England to a meagre 155 in response to Australia's total. In the second innings, Australia managed 384 all out, setting England a target of 420 to win the match. Jones took 1-69 from his 18 overs. England could only manage 180 in reply, and Australia won the first match by 239.
In the second Test at Edgbaston, Jones played a significant role, scoring 19 not out from 24 deliveries, helping England to a first innings total of 407 all out. Jones then produced a controlled swing performance to dismiss Justin Langer and Brett Lee, capturing figures of 2-69, as Australia were bowled out for 308, 99 runs behind England. Jones was once again undismissed in the second innings, this time for 12, as England set Australia 282 runs to win. Jones dismissed Matthew Hayden for 31 as Australia lost by 2 runs despite brave efforts from Lee and Warne, and Jones finished with figures of 1-23 in the second innings.
The third Test at Old Trafford Cricket Ground was remarkably successful for Jones, as he picked up the wickets of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee, as he collected figures of 6-53, his best bowling innings, before adding the wicket of Michael Clarke, in which Jones bowled a reverse-swinging delivery which Clarke left, expecting the ball to swing away, before it moved back towards the batsman and uprooted his off-stump.. This took his match figures to 7-110, his personal best. The match finished in a remarkable draw, as the Australians finished the 5th day just 52 runs behind, and with one wicket remaining.
During the fourth Test at Trent Bridge Jones in the first innings took a devastating 5-44, trapping captain Ponting as one of his dismissals. However, he then succumbed to an ankle injury during the second innings which meant he only bowled 4 overs for 0 wickets. This injury would force him out of the crucial deciding match at The Oval, as well as out of England's winter tour to Pakistan. Jones finished the Ashes series with 18 wickets at an average of 21.00, and England went on to win the series 2-1, reclaiming the Ashes for the first time since 1986-87.
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