Flashback: End of an era in Australian cricket

On 5 January 2007, Australia drubbed England 5-0 in the Ashes - only the second whitewash in the bilateral contest - with a win in the final Test in Sydney inside four days. But, this was a bittersweet moment for Australian cricket as Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath all bid adieu to Test cricket at the end of that series. Langer ended his 105-Test career with 7696 runs, including 23 centuries at an average of 54.22. McGrath took 563 wickets at an average of 21.64 and strike rate of 51.9 in 124 Tests; while Warne scored 3154 runs with 12 half-centuries and took 708 wickets at an average of 25.41 and strike rate of 57.4 in his 145-Test career.

(L-R) Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne of Australia pose in the rooms after day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England, at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

Justin Langer and Shane Warne of Australia walk on to field at the SCG in their last test match during day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. 

 

Glenn McGrath (L) and Shane Warne of Australia shake hands as they leave the field during day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne of Australia leave the field during day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. 

 

Glenn McGrath of Australia salutes the crowd as he leaves the field in his last test match on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

Shane Warne of Australia salutes the crowd as he leaves the field in his last test match on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. 

 

Glenn McGrath of Australia is hugged by team mate Adam Gilchrist after McGrath's last test match on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. 

 

Brett Lee (L) of Australia speaks to Glenn McGrath as they leave the field during day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. McGrath will retire from test cricket after this match. 

 

Justin Langer hugs Australian team mate Matthew Hayden after Australia beat England on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Australia won the series 5-0 for the first time in over 80 years.

 

Justin Langer (R) celebrates after Australian team mate Matthew Hayden hit the winning run to beat England on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Australia won the Ashes series 5-0 for the first clean sweep in over 80 years.

 

Glenn McGrath of Australia salutes the crowd at the end of day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

Shane Warne of Australia salutes the crowd at the end of day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

(L-R) Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchchrist of Australia celebrate with the Ashes trophy after winning the final test and wrapping up the series 5-0 on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

Glenn McGrath of Australia walks with his children after winning the fifth ashes test on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

Shane Warne of Australia celebrates on the shoulders of Michael Clarke (L) and Andrew Symonds with the Ashes trophy after winning the final test and wrapping up the series 5-0 on day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

Shane Warne of Australia waves to the crowd for the final time after winning the final test and wrapping up the series 5-0 after winning day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

(L-R) Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne of Australia celebrate with the trophy and their children after winning the final test and wrapping up the series 5-0 after winning day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. 

 

(L-R) Damien Martyn, Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne of Australia, who all retired from Test Cricket during the series, pose in the rooms after day four of the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England, at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

 

Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath of Australia play with their children after winning the fifth Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.