Marcus Trescothick’s decision to retire at the end of the season leaves Ian Bell as the last active player who took part in the unforgettable 2005 Ashes – England’s first win in the contest for 18 years and held by many to be the best Test series ever.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at the 12 men who represented England that day and what happened next.
Marcus Trescothick
Played on for a remarkable 13 seasons after his final Test appearance, scoring heavily for Somerset for most of that time. Will be hoping to bow out with his first county championship winners’ medal later this year.
Andrew Strauss:
Michael Vaughan:
The captain who will forever be linked to ‘the greatest series’ and went on to finish with a national record of 26 Test wins in charge. Injuries and intermittent form followed him for much of the three years between his crowning moment at The Oval and retirement, he bowed out in tears after defeat to South Africa. Now a ubiquitous broadcaster.
Ian Bell:
Kevin Pietersen:
A bright, brash breath of fresh air all those years ago, ‘KP’ would become many things over the course of his career – innovator, agitator, record breaker and briefly, and tempestuously, captain. His outstanding England career ended messily after the 2013/14 Ashes. He was a regular on the T20 circuit for the next four years.
Andrew Flintoff:
Geraint Jones:
Though the wicketkeeper’s Test career was over less than 18 months after its apex, he managed another decade on the domestic circuit and bowed out by helping Gloucestershire to victory in the Royal London One-Day Cup. Unexpectedly rebooted his international career with Papua New Guinea.
Ashley Giles:
Matthew Hoggard:
His England days ended in 2008 and a year later he was released by his native Yorkshire. From there he took over as Leicestershire captain and led the Foxes to the T20 Cup. Now coaching women’s side the Loughborough Lightning.
Steve Harmison:
Simon Jones:
Sadly never wore the England shirt again after the 4th Test in 2005, laid low by a long sequence of injury problems. Played for Worcestershire and Hampshire before finishing up with a 40-over final back at his native Glamorgan. Now runs the Simon Jones Cricket Academy.
Paul Collingwood:
Like Trescothick, the lure of the game lingered with Collingwood, who only appeared in the last match of the ’05 series. He retired last year at 42, by which time he had already established himself as a coach. Currently one of Trevor Bayliss’ England assistants.
