The Ashes 2009: England 2-1 Australia: A Tribute

Taking a break from my usual SWFC videos, here is one to celebrate the England cricket team with a 2-1 win over the Australians over the summer.

The first test in Cardiff saw England force an unlikely draw as Monty Panesar and Jimmy Anderson batted out over 15 overs for the final wicket to save the game. England came back with a bang at Lords', a five-wicket haul for Andrew Flintoff in his final test series for England securing a 118 run win, England's first win over the Aussies at Lords since 1935. The third test was rain affected to say the least, only three and a half days play possible as a draw was battled out. The first morning of the fourth test at Headingley saw England collapse to 72-6 at lunch, a position they would never recover from. They were bowled out for 102, and ended up losing by an innings and 80 runs. With just one test left, it was all eyes to the Oval with the series at 1-1 and England needed a win to regain the ashes they lost with a 5-0 drubbing in Australia in January 2007. England captain Andrew Strauss won a vital toss, but the hosts collapsed to 108/1 to 332 all out, which seemed an under par total. Australia looked good in their reply at 80/0 until Stuart Broad raced in with five wickets and Graeme Swann taking four to reduce Australia to 160 all out. England were aiming to build a strong lead, but lost three quick wickets and ended day two on 59/3. Day three began well, with both Strauss and Warwickshire debutant Trott reaching half centuries. Strauss got out before lunch, but Trott kicked on to reach his maiden test century. Good contributions from the lower order followed as England reached a lead of 546, before a battling Australia could only manage a second innings total of 348, despite a century from Mike Hussey meaning England took back the Ashes with the same 2-1 scoreline as four years earlier