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England win Ashes after thrilling final Test
23 Aug 2009
Andrew Flintoff was appropriately involved in the pivotal moment as England bowled out Australia to reclaim the Ashes at the Oval.
Michael Hussey (121) was immovable for almost six hours for Australia. But they still finished 348 all out on the fourth evening as a late three-wicket burst from Stephen Harmison helped England complete an npower series-clinching 197-run win.
Doubts were beginning to surface nonetheless - even with more than a day-and-a-half remaining to see off the tourists' resistance - when Flintoff struck to end a third-wicket stand of 127 between Ricky Ponting (66) and Hussey.
Australia had reached 217 for two in glorious batting conditions, and it was far from obvious where the next wicket might come from as distant hope emerged that they could even somehow make the world record-smashing 546 they had been set for victory.
Ponting's team needed only a draw to retain the urn.
Flintoff, meanwhile, had done little of substance with either bat or ball to mark his 78th and final Test for his country before retirement because of a chronic knee injury.
But it was in those circumstances that he summoned a moment of brilliance in the field, throwing down the stumps as Australia's captain tried in vain to make his ground - responding to a call for a single to wide mid-on from Hussey.
It was a game-breaking instant, reminiscent of Ponting's run-out by substitute Gary Pratt in Australia's Trent Bridge defeat on the way to losing the Ashes for the first time in a generation in 2005.
This time, Hussey did his best to keep England at bay. But even his 219-ball 10th Test hundred could not keep back the tide in a match which had previously been notable for the nine first-innings wickets shared by Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann - match figures eight for 158 - and a century on day three from home debutant Jonathan Trott.
Reader views (6)
A great victory.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 24/08/2009 10:38
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A moment of true sporting brilliance from big Fred, the type of moment that transcends the norm, like a Tiger woods approach shot or a Ronaldinho free kick.
The man was out on his feet, taking up space and incapable of performing at even a below average county level, but for 3 seconds he cast aside his frailties and let pure charisma and talent take over, and an Ashes series was one.
That's the beauty of Test cricket, hour upon hour, day after day, week after week of physical and mental challenge all blown away by one moment of genius.
Thanks Fred, for showing us that a big hearted honest English lad can still raise us all to the top of the mountain by letting your talent express itself. Surely your defining moment.
- Dan Briggs, London, 24/08/2009 00:28
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Well done england, your 1st eleven south african team proved worth the import cost.
- Max Shean, sydney australia, 24/08/2009 00:05
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Fantastic play. England look good for the next four seasons.
When Ricky Ponting retires from test cricket I expect a K. from H.M. It would be right and well deserved.
- Richard Meredith, huntingdon, 23/08/2009 21:20
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Dhan Raj, do you seriously think we'd get close enough to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 21/08/2009 09:49
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Call it a draw now and spare us the agony of going through another 'England snatches defeat from the jaws of victory'.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 20/08/2009 18:42
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