The Telegraph Book of the Ashes 2013

This summer's Ashes was another unforgettable instalment in the oldest and greatest rivalry in international sport. From the thrilling denouement at Trent Bridge, when Australia came within 19 runs of an incredible victory, to the stunning spell of hostile fast bowling from Stuart Broad in Durham and England's frantic run-chase in the gloom at the Oval in pursuit of an historic 4-0 series victory, the series was never less than engrossing.

And - as always in an Ashes summer - there was as much intrigue off the field. David Warner made himself the English public's favourite pantomime villain by taking a swing at Joe Root before a ball was bowled, controversy raged over the standards of umpiring and the use of the Decision Review System while Darren Lehmann stoked the fires ahead of the return series Down Under with his infamous radio rant at Broad.

The Daily and Sunday Telegraph's unbeatable team of cricket writers were present through the 2013 series to deliver the definitive account of events. Derek Pringle, Paul Hayward, Scyld Berry, Simon Hughes, Jim White, Steve James and Nick Hoult dissected events with forensic detail, and former captains Michael Vaughan and Geoffrey Boycott, together with Australian spinning legend Shane Warne, set the agenda with their hard-hitting columns.

So, as you tick off the days to the first Test in Brisbane, relive the splendour of Ian Bell's three centuries, Ashton Agar's record-breaking debut, Root's stunning innings at Lord's and the spectacular bowling of Graeme Swann and James Anderson, as chronicled in the pages of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph.

Auteur

STEVE JAMES is a former Glamorgan and England cricketer, who now writes on cricket and rugby for Telegraph Media. He has written six books, including an autobiography and The Plan, the award-winning story of how two Zimbabwean coaches, Duncan Fletcher and Andy Flower, transformed English cricket. He has ghosted books for Fletcher, England wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton.