AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST SERIES-DECIDERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY:-

2001 vs India - The Hand of Waugh

Steve Waugh's men looked on track to conquer their final frontier and win Australia's first Test series in India in 31 years, before the captain's right hand got in the way. With Australia 3-340 batting first in Chennai, Waugh was out handled the ball after bumping a Harbhajan Singh delivery away from his stumps. Australia collapsed to be all out for 391 and India replied with 501. Set a target of 155 to win in the fourth innings, India needed 20 with three wickets in hand before wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe got them home eight down.

2005 Ashes - Warne's rare blemish

Shane Warne produced one of the greatest series of all time with 40 wickets, but his dropped catch of Kevin Pietersen on day five at The Oval proved vital. Down 2-1 in the series but trying to retain the Ashes for a ninth straight series, Australia had England 3-87 with the hosts leading by 93 when Warne dropped a sitter off Pietersen at first slip on 15. Pietersen went on to score 158 and batted England to safety, ensuring a draw and winning England one of the most famous series of the 21st century.

2014 vs South Africa - Harris the Warrior

Ryan Harris bowled himself into the ground as he took Australia back to No.1 in the world in this clash of the heavyweights. With the three-Test series locked at 1-1, South Africa's tail looked likely to hang on for a draw in the third Test in Cape Town. Enter Harris. With five overs left in the match, Harris played through immense knee pain to break a 90-ball stand between Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. He then bowled Morne Morkel two balls later to wrap up the win for Australia and hand South Africa their first defeat at Cape Town in 11 matches.

2022 vs Pakistan - Last day heroics in Lahore

Australia's bid to win their first overseas Test series in six years came down to the final day in Lahore. After two draws to start the series, Australia batted into the final session of day four to set Pakistan a target of 351. For a while it looked as if Pat Cummins had not given he and his fellow bowlers enough time, with Pakistan 5-190 at tea on the final day. But in a precursor to Australia's efforts in Melbourne earlier this week, Nathan Lyon got the key scalp of Babar Azam at slip, and Australia took the last five wickets in the space of nine overs to win in the last session.

2023 Ashes - Ball change changes Ashes

One of the greatest Test series of the century got the fitting finale it deserved. With Australia trying to win their first Ashes series in England in 22 years, the final Test at The Oval ebbed and flowed in the same manner as the entire series. Chasing an unlikely 384 for victory, Australia were 0-126 on day four when Usman Khawaja was struck on the helmet and the ball needed changing. The new one appeared much harder and swung much more, and bad light also stopped Australia's momentum. Australia lost wickets early on day five, before more rain intervened. And while they got to 3-264, the middle and lower order eventually collapsed and they fell 49 runs short to leave the series drawn 2-2.