A vintage performance from all rounder Andrew Flintoff in the record breaking second Ashes test at Lord’s, inspired England to a 115 win over Australia and a 1-0 lead in the 2009 International cricket series.
But that England performance was a far cry from the lack lustre effort made during the first test at Cardiff only a few days earlier, when it was Australia who had threatened to run away with the match – only bad weather, some strange time wasting tactics and the resolve of England’s tail enders, eventually forcing a draw.
So, three Ashes test matches to go and England currently holding the slender advantage over Australia, just who will have the upper hand in the remainder of the series is anybody’s guess.
I remember clearly believing that back in 2005 when England beat a legendary Australian side, that the England team were on the crest of bigger and better things, the camaraderie amongst the players was superb and everything was looking rosy, while for Australia they were about to lose some of the games most influential players form the past decade.
How wrong I was. England in fact had just peaked in that Ashes series and injuries and some bad behind the scenes management decisions over the last few years have seen them struggle to hold their own against more determined nations. Australia of course have continued without the likes of Shane Warne and co to remain as close to the top as possible.
Needless to say prediction’s are not my strong point, but suddenly England appear to be holding all the aces and if the Lord’s test is anything to go by it is England who look the more intimidating opposition.
The last chance to see ‘Freddie’ Flintoff in an Ashes test will ensure that tickets for the remaining Ashes Test matches will sell like hot cakes, indeed viagogo have reported that tickets for the next two games have already seen demand increase by 100%.
The next nPower Ashes test match starts on July 30th at Edgbaston, followed by the fourth test at Headingley on August 7th and the final test will take place at the Oval on August 20th.
Flintoff has insisted he will be fit for all of the remaining games, a fitting finale to a wonderful test career for England. Watch the England hero in his last Lord’s test:
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1 comment so far
1 Ottayan // Jul 23, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I believe the next test match will decide the winner of the series.