Ashes 2nd Test, day 5: Flintoff ends Lord’s record

Played 18, drawn 9, lost 9.  This is England’s record against Australia at Lord’s from 1938 until this morning.  Their last Ashes victory there, in 1934, was the only time England achieved the feat in the whole of the 20th Century.

In those 18 tests they have been, at various times, thwarted by Bradman or the elements, destroyed by a succession of fast bowlers, saved by Watson & Bailey or the elements.  Mostly they have just been struggling.

Naturally, it was Andrew Flintoff who put an end to it all.  Today was pretty much all about Freddie.

He took Brad Haddin’s wicket with just his fourth ball.  His second over had Michael Clarke in all sorts of trouble – he damaged his bat with the 1st ball, hit him on the head with the 3rd and beat him with the 4th.

After Graeme Swann had bowled Clarke, he marmalized the stumps to remove both Hauritz and Siddle and bowled 10 consecutive overs until the win was achieved.  Twenty four Test matches had passed since he last took 5 wickets in an innings.  Now he has 5/92 to add to his tally.

This was a pretty remarkable Test to follow that at Cardiff.  That Australia began the 5th day with hopes of chasing 522 to win (which would have been the second highest 4th innings score in a Test match, and by far the highest winning total) is testament to their fighting spirit and the brilliant innings played by Michael Clarke.

But they were no match for Flintoff, who took the man of the match award ahead of Andrew Strauss, his 161 on the 1st day being largely forgotten amongst the hysteria.

So, now to Edgbaston for the 3rd Test, where England haven’t beaten Australia since 2005…