Every month, we’re telling the story behind a unique piece of Trent Bridge memorabilia - and making it available for online auction, with all proceeds in aid of the Trent Bridge Community Trust.

Our series begins with memories of one the most dramatic international fixtures ever hosted at our venue.

Often in Test cricket, a team gets on top on day one and goes on to comfortably win.

But now and again, a contest spends an entire five days on a knife-edge. Fortunes fluctuate, one team is ‘winning’ followed by the other and every possible sporting emotion is thrust upon the crowd.

When all this is happening in the context of the most historically significant contest in world sport, you really do have an occasion on your hands.

The Lot

A bat signed by England and Australia to commemorate the first Test of the 2013 Investec Ashes at Trent Bridge.

Signatures include that of Nottinghamshire favourites Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad & Peter Siddle, stars of the world game such as Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson & Michael Clarke and of the late Phillip Hughes.

The Story

England’s nail-biting 14-run triumph in the first Test of the 2013 series set Alastair Cook’s men on their way to a 3-0 victory to retain the urn.

It was Australia’s combative paceman Peter Siddle, who was to join Nottinghamshire the following summer, who made the first telling contribution, taking 5-50 to bowl England out for 215, a below par score after winning the toss and batting first.

No batsman made 50 as Jonathan Trott’s top scored with 48 and hometown hero Stuart Broad added a useful 24 from number eight in the order.

James Anderson, whose record at Trent Bridge stands at 56 wickets at an average of 19.24, then ripped through the Australian order with five wickets, leaving them struggling on 117-9, still 98 runs adrift.

At that point England would have been hopeful of a sizeable first innings lead, only for a little known left-arm spinner from Melbourne to earn himself a place both in Ashes folklore, and in the hearts & minds of the Trent Bridge faithful.

Ashton Agar was 19 years old and making his Test debut at number 11 in the order.

Surely England wrapping-up in first innings in double quick time was a formality? It was not.

Joined in a partnership of 163 for the tenth wicket by the late Phillip Hughes, Agar smashed the home attack to all parts on his way to 98, the highest score by a Test number 11 and enough to give Australia an unlikely 65-run lead.

It was the familiar Nottinghamshire double act – bowled Broad, caught Swann – that finally brought the teenager’s staggering innings to an end.

Swann celebrated the catch like a man without a shred of sympathy to bestow. It was, however, clear that the Trent Bridge crowd had temporarily put aside their partisan allegiance and would not have begrudged Agar the landmark of three figures.

In the true sporting fashion for which the great Nottinghamshire venue has become renowned, the public rose as one to salute the man of the moment.

Agar has since gone on to score two first class hundreds but, having played just one more Test to date, he may yet never reach three figures at the highest level of the game.

Needless to say, since Trent Bridge, he has never since batted at number 11.

England were rattled and lost two quick wickets before Alastair Cook (50), Kevin Pietersen (109) and Ian Bell (109) lead a spirited recovery.

Broad then added a valuable 65; an innings that would make him forever the pantomime villain in the eyes of the Australian public, after a controversial caught behind decision went against the tourists.

Australia were left with 311 to win, and they were given hope by Shane Watson (46) and Chris Rogers (52) who posted 84 for the first wicket.

Regular breakthroughs were however to follow as wickets were shared between Broad (2-54), Swann (2-105) and Joe Root (1-6). At 161-6, Australia were clear outsiders.

Again the tourists showed trademark fight and - despite Anderson chipping away at the tail -Agar (14) and Siddle (11) supported veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin in his bid to pull off an unlikely victory.

James Pattinson continued the good work of his fellow tail-enders and a bumper crowd on the final morning was in for the tensest of finishes.

Anderson (5-73) eventually got one past the inside edge of Haddin, on 74, which brought raucous appeals from England, and from around the ground.

The umpire was unmoved and Cook opted for a DRS referral.

A faint white dot was found on the bat and England won a never to be forgotten thriller by 14 runs.

Don’t miss your opportunity to own this celebrated piece of history and place your bid now.

About the Trent Bridge Community Trust

The Trent Bridge Community Trust in the charitable arm of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

Its mission, quite simply, is to change the lives of young people in our community for the better.

Find out more about the Trent Bridge Community Trust here...