They knew only one mistake was needed to retain the urn.

Coming off eight consecutive Ashes triumphs, Australia were undisputed favourites to retain the urn in 2005.

The difference between the teams is not so great that Australia could retain the urn so soon.

As sweet as it is to retain the urn, Australia will be ruing the fact it couldn't finish the Ashes as the outright winner.

Even though Australia went on to retain the urn at Old Trafford, the footage makes for grim viewing as far as Cummins is concerned.

A 2-2 tie and retain the urn - that's probably a reasonably fair reflection of the cricket that has been played.

England won the final Test by 135 runs to draw the series at 2-2, but the result saw Australia retain the urn.

ICYMI: The Aussies belt out the team song after retaining the urn!

Smith enjoyed a superb Ashes series, nearly single-handedly ensuring Australia retained the urn.

An Aussie fan lived up to a wild bet, despite our team retaining the urn.

Australia retained the urn.

Smith was photographed wearing glasses during wild celebrations at Old Trafford after Australia won the fourth Ashes Test, and retained the urn.

The Tasmanian hit two centuries and finished as Australia's third-highest run scorer in a series where they retained the urn on English soil.

Runs haven't always flowed and but the overall achievement of retaining the urn means the captain can leave England with a smile on his face.