A humdinger for the ages

What a Test. 1176 runs, 40 wickets, a run rate of 5 an over almost right through, 18 sixes and 143 fours. And all that in just three days and a session. But those numbers, impressive as they are, do not even begin to describe the nerve-wrenching last hour of what was one of the greatest Tests ever. Few gave Australia a hope of coming close after they came out this morning needing 107 runs with a couple of wickets in hand. They fell short, but only just.

A meagre two runs, paltry in number but gigantic in significance, was the difference between England drawing level in the Ashes and going 2-0 down. This is England's narrowest margin of victory in terms of runs in Test history, a whole run less than their three-run victory against Australia in the fourth Test at Melbourne in 1982-83. Incidentally, this is also the second-smallest margin of victory while defending a score. Once again, Australia have the distinction of losing by the smallest margin ever, a single run, against West Indies at Adelaide in 1992-93.

You cannot help but notice the numerous times Australia have competed in close Tests. It is testament to the kind of cricket they play - with undying self-belief and astonishing confidence. Edgbaston was not for the faint at heart. What magic does Old Trafford have for us?

England's narrowest wins	Opponents	Match/Venue/Date
2 runs	Australia	2nd Test/Edgbaston/2005
3 runs	Australia	4th Test/MCG/1982-83
10 runs	Australia	1st Test/Sydney/1894-95
12 runs	Australia	4th Test/Adelaide/1928-29
12 runs	Australia	4th Test/MCG/1998-99
13 runs	Australia	1st Test/SCG/1886-87
18 runs	Australia	3rd Test/Headingley/1981
19 runs	Australia	6th Test/The Oval/1997
23 runs	South Africa	5th Test/Headingley/1998
25 runs	Pakistan	3rd Test/Headingley/1971

(Only narrowest margins of victory while defending a score have been included)