Australia came into the last day with a chance win the game. Andrew Flintoff picked up the chance, shook it, choked it, and then kicked it out of Lord’s. It was a sustained spell of powerful bowling. From his first over of the day it was obvious he was going to be Australia’s hurdle. The next over he took out Haddin.
That was that.
Australia’s fight back all but died there, but Freddie was having none of it. He was in this to the end. At least two times Strauss asked if he wanted a rest, and he shook him off. He said in the press conference that he wanted to bowl until the match was won. And I think he could have.
He was the difference between the two sides in this Test. Even with Australia’s farcical first day, their suicidal second day, and the fourth day when the umpires were unsure of what constituted a correct decision they were a chance to win this match. But Freddie stood up.
This is his last Test in England, and he was way more emotional than usual. After his fifth wicket he actually hugged his teammates. This means a lot to him, and he isn’t going out quietly. The English crowd almost ignore the other players around him, and for years he hasn’t earned this status, but now with his career in its last weeks he is becoming the Freddie of 2005 and that is scary for Australia.
The Australians now have one warm up game before the next test, and hopefully they only have one thing on their mind, fixing Mitchell Johnson. No more talk of the in-swinger he may never master, he needs to be wound up and let go. Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz will be out to prove their fitness.
Australia are one nil down, and they were thoroughly outplayed in this game, but before anyone panics there are a lot of good signs. England completely dominated this game and only won by just over 100 runs with Australia making over 400 in the last innings. Australia dominated the first Test much more savagely than England did this one. And Mitchell Johnson cannot possibly bowl this bad again.
The series is now alive. The English fans are up and roaring. The Australian team want revenge. And Freddie is determined to go out an Ashes winner.
The next three Tests could be one hell of a ride.
*Listen to or download the latest Crikey Sports Ashes Podcast, where Leigh Josey and Jarrod Kimber discuss the latest happenings from Lord’s.
Crikey‘s Ashes 09 coverage:
- Jarrod Kimber reports from the UK after each day’s play.
- Leigh Josey and Jarrod Kimber discuss Flintoff, Lord’s and beer on the Crikey Sports Podcast.
- A media wrap of what the pundit’s are saying after each day’s play.
- And everything Ashes related can be found here.
Sorry to be a pedant boys, but in the match that I was watching last night, Flintoff got Haddin out in his first over (2nd over of the day as Anderson bowled the first) + there were numerous references to the fact that this was his last Test series, not Test match…
Freddie & The Dreamers are beside themselves with ecstasy over this win. Their first in three quarters of a century. Freddie’s vainglorious display – on his knees, arms spread eagle, eyes half closed in self adoration – will only make it easier to nail him to the cross by the end of the Series. What short memories they must have over there in the Heart of Empire. The seemingly Endless Summer of 06/07 appears to have faded..
And as for the Seth African mercenary they have hired to lead their rabble of pirates and n’er do wells, nothing can save him from the ignominy he has brought to the noble position and to the Three Lions he wears over his black heart. Nor can English blame be voided by pleas of ignorance; they knew he came from a nation of cheats when they passed his hand with silver.
Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But perhaps it is the end of the beginning. And so on to Edgbaston. The Saggy Green will fulfill its destiny.