Ashes: 14 days that cost England the urn - in pictures

Day 1 21 November The Gabba First Test, day one Stuart Broad rips through the Australian top order and the home side are reeling on 132-6 just before tea. But Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson steady the ship, with the wicketkeeper unbeaten on 78 overnight. Close Australia 273-8 Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Day 2 22 November The Gabba First Test, day two Haddin departs for 94 and Broad ends with six for 81 as Australia reach 295. Then comes the Johnson-inspired carnage – England’s 87 for three becomes 91-8 in the space of half an hour. A 32 from Broad sees England to 136 all out and by the close Australia lead by 224. Close Australia 65-0 Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Day 3 23 November The Gabba First Test, day three David Warner and Michael Clarke pile on the runs, with the former thrashing a century off 135 balls and his captain reaching the mark off 115. The declaration comes a little over an hour after tea, setting England 561 to win. Both Michael Carberry and Jonathan Trott fail to survive the hour before stumps. Close England 24-2 Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Day 4 24 November The Gabba First Test, day four A heavy rain storm briefly delays the inevitable but once Alastair Cook falls to Nathan Lyon for 65 the collapse comes quickly in the evening session. England crumble from 130 for three to 179 all out. Johnson takes five for 42 to end with match figures of nine for 103. Close Australia win by 381 runs and lead 1-0 Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Day 5 5 December Adelaide Oval Second Test, day one Australia start well with Shane Watson and Chris Rogers putting on 121 for the second wicket. Jimmy Anderson removes the former with an excellent catch to spark a mini collapse of three wickets for 19 runs. England miss the chance to make further inroads dropping three late chances. Close Australia 273-5 Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Day 6 6 December Adelaide Oval Second Test, day two Clarke and Haddin record a double century partnership, the latter is spared when Marais Erasmus correctly checks for a no-ball by Ben Stokes. Australia declare on 570-9 and England then lose Alastair Cook bowled by Mitchell Johnson for three. Close England 35-1 Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Day 7 7 December Adelaide Oval Second Test, day three After making a steady start England’s middle order is blown away by Johnson. The paceman records his best figures against England, 7-40, as the tourists are bowled out for 172. Michael Clarke opts not to enforce the follow-on and David Warner races to 83 before the end of play. Australia’s lead is 530. Close Australia 132-2 Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Day 8 8 December Adelaide Oval Second Test, day four Australia declare and after Cook and Carberry both fall quickly England dig in. However no-one can make a really big score, with Joe Root and Kevin Pietersen getting closest. England play Johnson better than they had all series and at the end it was Stuart Broad and Matt Prior providing resistance. Close England 247-6 Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Day 9 9 December Adelaide Oval Second Test, day five A rain delay wasn’t enough to stop Australia polishing off England before lunch. Stuart Broad hooks Peter Siddle for six in the first over but is out next ball and that sets the tone. Within 11.4 overs the job is done and England look increasingly lost ahead of Perth. Close England 312 all out Australia lead 2-0 Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Day 10 13 December The Waca Third Test, day one After losing the toss again, England’s bowlers make early inroads and have Australia reeling on 143-5 after Stuart Broad has George Bailey caught out at deep square leg. Brad Haddin and centurion Steve Smith lead the recovery, with the former dismissed for 55, before Mitchell Johnson adds a swift 39. Close Australia 326-6 Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Day 11 14 December The Waca Third Test, day two Australia’s lower order brings their total up to 385, and England’s response begins with an assured 85-run opening partnership between Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry. The controversial dismissal of Joe Root causes much debate, while Ian Bell and Ben Stokes survive evening pressure. Close England 180-4 Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Day 12 15 December The Waca Third Test, day three England’s middle order folds, with Bell’s dismissal the first of five wickets to fall for 43 runs. With a 134-run lead after the first innings Australia make England suffer further as their second knock starts with a 157-run stand. David Warner clubs a buccaneering 112 as his side end the day with a lead of 369. Close Australia 235-3 Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

Day 13 16 Decemeber The Waca Third Test, day four Shane Watson scores a 106-ball century as Australia plunder 134 runs in only 17 overs before declaring on 269-6. Set a mammoth 504 to win, Alastair Cook is bowled by Ryan Harris for a diamond duck. Ben Stokes ends the day unbeaten on 72, with Ian Bell the only other to score a half-century. Close England 251-5 Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Day 14 17 December The Waca Third test, day five Requiring another 253 runs for an unlikely victory, Matt Prior falls for 26 before Ben Stokes reaches his maiden test ton. England reach 332-6 at lunch before their lower order collapses, Mitchell Johnson taking the final wicket of James Anderson to spark jubilant scenes in the middle. Close England 350 all out and Australia win the Ashes Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images