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The 2005 Ashes: Settling The Score

The story of the greatest series of all time, the 2005 Ashes, is retold in this unique collaboration between Test Match Special and the 麻豆社 Philharmonic Orchestra.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Ashes, Test Match Special has collaborated with the 麻豆社 Philharmonic Orchestra to tell the story of the greatest series of all time.

Through a specially curated playlist performed by the Philharmonic, TMS archive, and narration from legendary actor Charles Dance, we鈥檙e taken back to a time when the nation went cricket mad.

Glenn McGrath treading on the ball, the thrilling finish at Edgbaston, thousands locked out at Old Trafford, Gary Pratt鈥檚 runout of Ricky Ponting, and that famous final day at the Oval are all remembered, as is the bus journey through London the day after.

And there鈥檚 also space for the Philharmonic鈥檚 performance of 麻豆社 Cricket iconic theme music 鈥� Soul Limbo.

Music performed:

SCENESET: Sergei Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Montagues and Capulets

LORD鈥橲: Camille Pepin: Les Eaux Celestes for orchestra, movements 2 & 3

EDGBASTON: Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, last movement

INTERLUDE: John Adams: Tromba Lontana

OLD TRAFFORD: Gustav Holst: The Planets, Uranus

TRENT BRIDGE: John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine

SHANE WARNE INTERLUDE: Igor Stravinsky: Petrushka, The Shrovetide Fair, Dance of the Coachmen and Grooms

OVAL: Hubert Parry, arr. Elgar: Jerusalem

and

Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony no. 3, 4th movement

CELEBRATIONS/TRAFALGAR SQUARE: Georges Bizet: Carmen, prelude

REFLECTIONS: Thomas Ades: Arcadiana, Movement 6, O Albion

CREDITS: Soul Limbo, arr. Peter Willmott

Available now

55 minutes

Last on

Christmas Eve 2025 20:00

Broadcasts

  • Thu 24 Jul 2025 20:00
  • Sun 7 Sep 2025 17:00
  • Christmas Eve 2025 20:00

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