Top five bowling spells in the Ashes in the last decade

By Debayan Mukherjee

Kolkata, July 25 (IANS) The Ashes, over the years, has thrown up some world-class performers making it count at the big stage for England and Australia with bat, ball and on the field.

IANS takes a look at the top five bowling spells in the last 10 years of the storied rivalry:

Andrew Flintoff, 5/92 at Lords's in 2nd Test, 2009

Regarded as one of England's all-time best all-rounders, Andrew Flintoff played a vital role in his team regaining the Ashes following the humiliation of the previous series.

Flintoff was at his inspirational best in the Lord's Test which was his final Test appearance at the historic ground.

The charismatic cricketer braved his injuries to take three wickets in the first innings only to better his tally in the second essay where he bowled an extraordinary 10-over spell to finish with 3/43 on the day and 5/92 in the innings.

Mitchell Johnson, 7/40 at Adelaide in 5th Test, 2013-14

Mitchell Johnson terrorised the English batsmen in the Ashes of 2013-14 and his best performance came in the first Test at Adelaide, where he registered figures of 7/40 in the first innings.

Johnson tore the heart out of England on day three of the second Test as the Aussies cantered to a massive 218-run win and he was adjudged Man of the Match.

Ryan Harris, 6/47 at Perth in 3rd Test, 2010-11

Ryan Harris showed his class in the second innings as he registered mesmerising figures of 6/47. Harris broke the back of England's middle-order with world-class swing bowling as Australia won by 267 runs.

Harris was coming back after an injury which made the spell all the more special.

Stuart Broad, 8/15 at Nottingham in 4th Test, 2015-16

Stuart Broad bowled the spell of his life to run through the Aussie batting line-up and record figures of 8/15 as Australia were dismissed for 60.

Broad also got his 300th Test wicket by dismissing Chris Rogers with a brilliant out swinger as England won by an innings and 78 runs.

James Anderson, 10/158 at Nottingham in 1st Test, 2013-14

James Anderson led the England attack with elan, returning match figures of 10/158 as England won the first Test by 14 runs.

Anderson took five wickets in both the innings, but it was the second innings where his contribution was became a stuff of legends as he took figures of 3/29 before lunch to set England on winning path. Anderson came back to bowl another brilliant spell and seal the deal.