Throughout the 21st century, England have become one of the most prominent cricketing countries. With this rise, they have created some unforgettable moments across different formats. They have staged some of the most intense and iconic clashes in international cricket, including the Ashes and World Cup glory. 

Here are some of the defining highlights of modern English cricket:

The dramatic 2005 Ashes win

For many cricket fans, the 2005 Ashes is one of the greatest series of cricket ever. England had not beaten Australia in an Ashes contest since 1986-87, so getting some payback was long overdue. 

The Aussies had one of the most dominant teams in cricket history over those two decades, with names like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, and Ricky Ponting leading the way. That meant England had to overcome a tough team when they played in the 2005 Ashes.

This series began with Australia taking the first Test rather easily. However, England managed to roar back and win a close match at Edgbaston by only two runs. It is still one of the most discussed matches in cricket history due to its level of thrill and the close result.

It was a see-saw series between the two powerhouses at Old Trafford and Trent Bridge. In the decisive fifth Test, Kevin Pietersen’s 158 in the second innings secured a draw, clinching a 2-1 series win for England.

The first ICC trophy for England

During the 21st century, England were competitive against other countries. However, they did not have a major ICC trophy in the 2000s. That is why the 2010 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was a massive success for the team when they won the tournament held in the West Indies. 

Spearheaded by Paul Collingwood, England had a mix of strong batting and amazing bowling. Kevin Pietersen was present again with his powerful stroke play, but he had awesome support from his teammates, including Craig Kieswetter with his powerful hitting and Graeme Swann’s talent.

The final was played against Australia, and England made sure not to lose to their rivals. They were chasing 148, which led to Kieswetter and Pietersen dismantling Australia’s bowlers. They secured a seven-wicket win with more than three overs to spare. They won their first major ICC title, signalling the start of a new era.

This victory set the tone for England, as they would win the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019,  and they won the ICC T20 World Cup again in 2022. England are one of the best countries in the cricket world, with multiple trophies in the 21st century.

A magical 481 against Australia in 2018

For the Test side of the Ashes, 2005 would be most people’s favourite moment. For white-ball cricket, the 2018 ODI series could be considered the peak. England broke the world record for the highest ODI total, getting 481/6 against Australia at Trent Bridge.

The Three Lions demolished Australia during that June 2018 day, as Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales were the stars of the show. Australia’s bowlers did their best, but England were in their best form on that day. Adil Rashid and Eoin Morgan chipped in with some fiery batting to end the match and surprise the rest of the cricket world.

In addition to their batting dominance, England also had Moeen Ali and Rashid performing well with their bowling. This was a fearless England squad, and under Morgan’s leadership, they continued their aggressive and relentless style of playing cricket.

Stokes�?heroics in the 2019 Ashes

Ben Stokes has become one of the most recognisable cricket players in the world. When it comes to English cricket, he is one of the first names mentioned as a contributor. His best moments for the England team were during the 2019 Ashes, as England were trying to chase an improbable 359 in the Third Test.

Stokes had an innings for the ages, as he started cautiously but kept hunting. He kept improving throughout his stint, unleashing a counterattack to drag England from the jaws of defeat to a one-wicket victory.

The reaction in the stadium and on commentary cemented how significant this moment was. Even the most neutral fans were shocked by what happened, and that is due to Stokes�?stellar performance. Of course, the Aussies would win the urn at the end of the series, but people mostly remember 2019’s Ashes due to Stokes�?performance.

The 2019 World Cup victory against New Zealand

England have always been involved in dramatic matches, but the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final against New Zealand is an important one for the sport. After their struggles in the 2015 World Cup, England came into this matchup as the favourites.

Unfortunately, this was not a cakewalk for the English team, as New Zealand posted 241/8. It was a tough yet reachable target that motivated England. Stokes anchored the innings for his team, but the game went to a Super Over.

Jofra Archer had to bowl the most important over of his life, and yet New Zealand matched England’s 15. It was another dramatic moment, but England won on the boundary countback rule, becoming the ODI world champions for the first time. This cemented their place among the best teams in the ODI format, as they are often contenders.

England will continue to have these moments

From the glory of the 2005 Ashes to their success in the World Cup tournaments, England will continue to succeed in the 21st century. They might have some dark months or even years, but they have the infrastructure to become one of the brightest cricketing countries alongside the likes of Australia, India, and the West Indies.

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Cricket is a sport fueled by passion, precision, and national pride. Over the years, there have been key moments that shaped the way the sport is viewed and played. These iconic highlights such as dramatic last-ball victories, record-breaking scores, daring plays, and displays of sheer sportsmanship continue to echo through stadiums and conversations among fans around the world.

From fierce duels to jaw-dropping wins, here are some of the most iconic moments in cricket history that defined the sport: 

India's epic win in 1983 

In 1983, India made cricket history that still inspires fans today. It was the ICC Cricket World Cup, and few believed that India could win. The team faced the mighty West Indies, who had won the previous two titles.

In the match, India batted first and scored just 183 runs. Many thought this was a small total, but the bowlers stepped up to defend it. Earlier in the tournament, Kapil Dev played a legendary 175-run knock against Zimbabwe. His knock was full of grit and skill, rallying the team and shifting the game's tide.

When the West Indies came to bat, they were confident, but India’s bowlers delivered an impressive performance. They took crucial wickets and kept the West Indies from chasing down the score. The West Indies, known for their fierce batting, faltered under pressure against India��s epic play.

The start of One-Day Cricket (ODI)

The introduction of ODI cricket in the early 1970s revolutionised the cricket industry. This new format brought a fresh, fast-paced style that drew in fans and made matches more exciting. It was a shift from the long Test matches, allowing everyone to enjoy a full game in just one day.

Malinga's four wickets in 2007

In the 2007 Cricket World Cup, a thrilling match took place between Sri Lanka and South Africa. The game was intense, with South Africa chasing a target set by Sri Lanka. They looked strong and confident, but then came a moment that would be remembered forever.

Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan bowler known for his pace and unique style, took to the field and stepped up to bowl. In just one over, he took four wickets, stunning the crowd and players alike.

West Indies' T20 dominance

West Indies�?match against England in the 2016 T20 World Cup was full of excitement, with the West Indies needing a big score in the last over to claim the title. Carlos Brathwaite stepped up to bat, and the tension was high. 

The West Indies had fought hard, but the game was still in the balance. After a hard-fought battle, Carlos Brathwaite faced Ben Stokes and, with remarkable composure, hit four consecutive sixes to seal the victory for the West Indies. Each shot sent the ball soaring over the boundary, leaving the crowd in awe. With those sixes, he not only won the match but also sealed the West Indies' place as T20 giants.

These moments live on—not just in stats or clips, but in the hearts of fans. While new cricket stars will rise, these moments will stand the test of time, inspiring fans and players alike. 

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