Cricket: Andrew Flintoff claimed only the third five-wicket haul of his career today as England completed their first Lord's triumph over Australia for 75 years. The 31-year-old claimed five for 92 as Australia were dismissed for 406 shortly before lunch on the final day to seal England's 115-run triumph.
The emphatic victory, England’s first Ashes win at Lord’s since 1934, puts them 1-0 ahead in the five-Test series with three matches remaining and establishes them as firm favourites to emulate the success of 2005 and regain the Ashes.
Australia had resumed the final morning in front of a sell-out Lord’s crowd on 313 for five with high hopes of claiming the 209 more runs required to reach the world record victory target of 522.
Michael Clarke and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin had forged an unbroken 185-run partnership overnight and with Lancastrian Flintoff clearly struggling with his right knee problems the previous evening, Australia were hopeful of setting up another drama like Edgbaston four years ago.
But Flintoff, playing his final Test at Lord’s following his announcement he is retiring from Test cricket at the end of this series, quickly shifted the balance in England’s favour by claiming the breakthrough with his third ball of the day.
Haddin had failed to add to his overnight 80 when he fished at a full-length delivery outside off-stump, which flew low to Paul Collingwood at second slip.
It gave England a flying start and with Flintoff generating speeds in excess of 90mph in a hostile, aggressive spell, Australia looked unlikely to challenge their victory target.
Flintoff demonstrated his threat by hitting Clarke, who resumed overnight on 125, on the shoulder with a short ball while new batsman Mitchell Johnson edged him just short of Collingwood at second slip.
But despite several other close escapes, Johnson provided determined support for Clarke to leave England once again anxious about Australia’s ability to claim an historic victory of their own.
The pair added a crucial 43 runs and it took the introduction of off-spinner Graeme Swann in the 13th over of the morning to finally break their stand with his second delivery.
Clarke, who had progressed to 136 after over five hours at the crease, came down the wicket to try to hit Swann down the ground but was beaten by the drift and the ball continued on to hit his off-stump.