5 Key Moments That Helped England Regain the Ashes on Home Soil
England's Ashes victory over Australia has been unexpected as it has emphatic.
Alastair Cook's side moved into an unassailable 3-1 lead over their oldest rivals with just one Test to play thanks to an innings triumph at Trent Bridge.
Australia were favourites at the start of the series to retain the urn on English soil, yet the tourists have been thoroughly outplayed in three of the four matches so far.
Michael Clarke has already announced that he will be stepping down as Australia's captain and retiring from international cricket at the end of the series, per Daniel Brettig of ESPN Cricinfo.
Although there is still the Oval Test to play, we have picked out five key moments that were crucial in England's successful summer.
1. The Games Against New Zealand
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Before Australia had even arrived for their tour, England locked horns with New Zealand.
The two-Test series finished level at 1-1 but, even though they allowed the Black Caps to recover from 1-0 down with a win at Headingley, there were promising signs for England.
Ben Stokes hit the fastest Test century at Lord's in the opening Test, and skipper Alastair Cook also making a big score in the same innings.
However, it was the one-dayers that really saw England catch fire.
With Paul Farbrace placed in temporary charge after the firing of coach Peter Moores, England managed to record a 3-2 series victory in dramatic circumstances.
Allowed to express themselves, something that had not happened in their miserable Cricket World Cup campaign, England made 408 for nine—a new record score for them in the 50-over arena—at Edgbaston in the opening game.
After back-to-back defeats, they then chased down a target of 350 with seven wickets and six overs to spare at Trent Bridge to keep the series alive.
The decider looked to be going New Zealand's way until late replacement Jonny Bairstow, who had only been called up to the squad on the eve of the match in Durham, smashed an unbeaten 83.
The series win was rewarding, but more importantly England had played an attacking brand of cricket that delighted their supporters.
It was the perfect appetiser for the main course.
2. Ryan Harris Having to Retire Through Injury
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Ryan Harris had been outstanding for Australia in the previous two Ashes battles against England.
In the series on English soil in 2013, the seamer picked up 24 wickets at an average of 19.58 in a losing cause.
When Australia hosted their rivals in 2013/14, he was again a thorn in England's side. While Mitchell Johnson was the main man with the ball for Australia, Harris still claimed 22 wickets at 19.31.
Since that 5-0 whitewash, however, the veteran bowler had appeared in just six more Tests.
A knee injury sidelined him, although he missed the short series in the Caribbean that took place prior to the tour of England due to the impending birth of his first child, per Robert Craddock of the Courier Mail.
He was picked in Australia's opening tour match in England, getting through 30 overs of work against Kent at Canterbury.
However, he reported some soreness in his troublesome right knee after the fixture. Scans revealed a a fractured tibia, per Chris Stocks of the Guardian.
The injury had initially been expected to keep him out for a game or two, but it actually proved serious enough to cut short his career.
Harris announced his retirement and although Australia's seam-bowling resources were still strong, the loss of someone who had troubled England in the past was a blow on the eve of the Test series.
3. Brad Haddin Fluffing His Lines on Day 1 of the Series
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After winning the toss and opting to bat, England were in a spot of bother at 43 for three on the opening morning of the first Test in Cardiff, Wales.
The situation could, really should, have got even worse when new batsman Joe Root edged just the second delivery he faced.
Mitchell Starc found the outside edge of the right-hander's bat and it seemed England were certain to lose a fourth wicket before lunch.
However, veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin failed to grasp the opportunity. Moving late to his right, he dived too far across and the ball hit him high on his glove before falling safely to the turf.
The miss proved costly. Very costly in fact.
Root went on to make 134 after the early reprieve, dominating a fourth-wicket stand worth 153 with his Yorkshire team-mate Gary Ballance, who contributed 61 to the partnership.
England ended up posting a score of 430 in their first innings and Australia were always playing catch-up in the contest.
Set 412 to win, Michael Clarke's side were bowled out for 242 late on the fourth evening.
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4. Michael Clarke's Decision at the Toss at Edgbaston
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Australia responded to losing the opening Test in impressive fashion, crushing their opponents by 405 runs at Lord's to square the series.
The teams moved on to Edgbaston, Birmingham, for the third Test.
Visiting captain Michael Clarke called correctly at the toss and, despite having bowled England out for 103 in the last innings of the previous match, opted to bat first.
The decision proved to be a disastrous one.
Australia mustered 136 in a first innings that lasted 36.4 overs, with England seamer James Anderson claiming six for 46.
England were almost on level terms by the close of play, reaching stumps on 133 for three. The Ashes pendulum had swung back in their favour.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports he struggled to understand Clarke's choice: "The toss was probably a 50/50 decision but having bowled England out for 100-odd at Lord’s and then seen a grassy pitch here, why not put them back in?"
England had been allowed a way back in—they amassed 281 in their first innings and although Australia replied with 265, the home team chased down a target of 121 to triumph in the Midlands.
5. The Opening Session at Trent Bridge
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While England held a 2-1 advantage going into the fourth Test in Nottingham, it was tough to know quite what was going to happen next in the series.
The opening session of the game at Trent Bridge, however, would not have been predicted by anyone.
England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Although the pitch looked like it might be suitable for seam movement, the decision to head into the field was a risky one from Cook.
But, with new-ball partner James Anderson missing through injury, Stuart Broad produced the kind of spell that most bowlers can only dream about.
He took two wickets in his first over, had a five-for after just 19 deliveries and finished up with eight for 15.
That first over was particularly pivotal. The Nottinghamshire bowler dismissed Chris Rogers and Steve Smith—Australia's two leading run-scorers in the series—to immediately put Australia on the back foot.
A one-man wrecking crew, Broad knocked over Australia for 60. Yes, that's right—60.
Broad said of his performance, per Ali Martin of the Guardian: "I’m sure I’ll never better that eight for 15 as a bowler. It was a special morning.”
The whole innings was over and done with in 18.3 overs. Extras finished as the leading scorer for the Australians—only two batsmen (Mitchell Johnson and Michael Clarke) managed to make it into double figures.
With Joe Root scoring another hundred, England closed the opening day on 274 for four, meaning a lead of 214 and one hand firmly wrapped around the miniature urn again.
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