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Ashley Giles Memoir Sheds Light on England’s 2005 Ashes Celebrations

Giles’s forthcoming memoir offers firsthand perspectives on the team’s post-victory ceremonies, late-night nightlife, clarifications of rumors that have lingered for 20 years

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Michael Kasprowicz, right, with Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath (Photo: Getty)
Ashley Giles, right, pictured with Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen (Photo: Getty)

Overview

  • The book confirms the official handover at Lord’s and the celebratory parade to Trafalgar Square following England’s series-winning draw.
  • Giles recounts the squad’s audience with Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street the morning after reclaiming the urn.
  • He describes Steve Harmison’s prank on Andrew Flintoff during the coach ride back to the team hotel.
  • Giles and Kevin Pietersen stayed on until about 3 a.m. at Boujis nightclub, where they met Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke.
  • The memoir addresses unverified reports of a player falling ill in the Downing Street gardens and corrects long-standing misconceptions.