Ashes 2009 : Freddie Flintoff does it again

Four years ago Flintoff reached the pinnacle of his career by winning the Ashes for England. Now he is planning to go out on top by winning the Ashes again. Bruised, battered, triumphant Andrew Flintoff. One bad leg, another great home Test against Australia. Flintoff is on his way to going out in style.

He’s a man who, given the condition of his right knee, should be kept to five-over spells. Not interested, his mind says. After his fourth-ball removal of Brad Haddin, who was caught at second slip, he spoke at Andrew Strauss. “Just to let you know I’ll keep bowling until all the wickets are gone.” He did, taking 3 for 43 in ten overs and toasting himself by lunch. No weak link or cartilage here, just more tormenting of Australia.

“Just to let you know I’ll keep bowling until all the wickets are gone.” — This should worry the Aussies more than anything else. Flintoff wants the Ashes, and if his body and team support him a little he will get back the urn.

Ashes 2009 : Flintoff hailed as the hero after Ashes win at Lord’s

On his last Test at Lord’s Andrew Flintoff helps bowl Australia out as England secure their first Ashes win at the home of cricket in 75 years.

Ashes 2009 : Flintoff hailed as the hero after Ashes win at Lord’s

On his last Test at Lord’s Andrew Flintoff helps bowl Australia out as England secure their first Ashes win at the home of cricket in 75 years.

Ashes 2009 : England record Lord’s win

Highlights from the decisive morning session on day five at Lord’s as Andrew Flintoff turns in a man of the match performance to help England beat Australia and go 1-0 up in the npower Ashes Series.

England vs Australia 2nd Ashes Test (2009) Day 5 Updates

Australia fighting back well to save the 2nd test match. Micheal Clarke and Brad Haddin holds the innings for the Aussies but they still need another 209 runs with 5 wickets remaining. It will be really tough for them to save the test.

Australia 2nd Innings

* Clarke - 125*, Haddin - 80* will start the preceding on Day 5.
* Australia lost 6th wicket in 88th over - 6-313 (Haddin, 87.4 ov)
* Australia lost 7th wicket in 99th over - 7-356 (Clarke, 98.2 ov)
* Drinks: Australia - 356/7 in 98.2 overs (MG Johnson 28)
* Australia lost 8th wicket in 100th over - 8-363 (Hauritz, 99.4 ov)
* Australia lost 9th wicket in 104th over - 9-388 (Siddle, 103.6 ov)
* MG Johnson: 50 off 62 balls (8 x 4)
* Australia: 400 runs in 105.6 overs (644 balls), Extras 21
* Australia lost 10th wicket in 107th over - 10-406 (Johnson, 106.6 ov)
* RESULT - England won by 115 runs
* Player of the match - A Flintoff (England)

Ashes Cricket 2009 Official Trailer

Ashes 2009 : Kevin Pietersen to miss some matches

Flintoff Fast Ball 95.1MPH - Ashes 2009 - 2nd Test - Day 2 - Mike Hussey - Australia vs England !

England vs Australia 2nd Ashes Test (2009) Day 4 Updates

England 2nd Innings

* England lead by 521 runs with 4 wicket remaining after the end of Day 3
* England have declared, Australia need a mere 522 to win.
* Innings Break: England - 311/6 in 71.2 overs (A Flintoff 30)

Australia 2nd Innings

* Australia lost 1st wicket in 4th over - 1-17 (Katich, 3.1 ov)
* Australia lost 2nd wicket in 10th over - 2-34 (Hughes, 9.2 ov)
* Drinks: Australia - 37/2 in 12.0 overs (RT Ponting 11, MEK Hussey 0)
* Australia: 50 runs in 16.3 overs (101 balls), Extras 3
* Lunch: Australia - 76/2 in 22.0 overs (RT Ponting 37, MEK Hussey 13)
* Australia lost 3rd wicket in 24th over - 3-78 (Ponting, 23.4 ov)
* Australia: 100 runs in 28.5 overs (175 balls), Extras 3
* Australia lost 4th wicket in 33rd over - 4-120 (Hussey, 32.4 ov)
* Drinks: Australia - 122/4 in 36.0 overs (MJ Clarke 29, MJ North 2)
* Australia lost 5th wicket in 39th over - 5-128 (North, 38.4 ov)
* Australia: 150 runs in 43.2 overs (263 balls), Extras 4
* MJ Clarke: 50 off 58 balls (7 x 4)
* 6th Wicket: 50 runs in 58 balls (MJ Clarke 29, BJ Haddin 15, Ex 6)
* Tea: Australia - 178/5 in 49.0 overs (MJ Clarke 60, BJ Haddin 15)
* Australia: 200 runs in 54.5 overs (333 balls), Extras 9
* 6th Wicket: 100 runs in 157 balls (MJ Clarke 56, BJ Haddin 37, Ex 7)
* Drinks: Australia - 241/5 in 69.0 overs (MJ Clarke 90, BJ Haddin 43)
* Australia: 250 runs in 72.5 overs (441 balls), Extras 14
* BJ Haddin: 50 off 95 balls (5 x 4)
* MJ Clarke: 100 off 159 balls (10 x 4)
* 6th Wicket: 150 runs in 242 balls (MJ Clarke 80, BJ Haddin 59, Ex 11)
* New Ball Taken: Australia 287/5 after 80.1 overs (MJ Clarke 112, BJ Haddin 67)
* Australia: 300 runs in 82.4 overs (500 balls), Extras 14
* Bad Light: Australia - 313/5 in 86.0 overs (MJ Clarke 125, BJ Haddin 80)
* End Of Day: Australia - 313/5 in 86.0 overs (MJ Clarke 125, BJ Haddin 80)

Ashes 2009 : Andrew Flintoff England’s greatest Cricketer Since Ian Botham retires

Andrew Flintoff retires from Test Cricket.

Ashes 2009 : Russell Crowe on the 2nd Ashes Test

Movie superstar Russell Crowe assumes the role as cricket pundit during the wildly captivating 2nd Ashes Test at Lords July 2009.

Ashes 2009 : What has happened to Mitchell Johnson?

From the loungerooms of Launceston to the Long Room at Lord’s, no single issue has dominated discussion quite like Mitchell Johnson’s plummeting fortunes in England. The conquistador of South Africa has been reduced to an erratic, unreliable bit-part player this week, placing tremendous pressure on his fellow bowlers and greatly reducing Ricky Ponting’s options.

The world’s third-ranked bowler was the third best paceman in the Australian attack on Saturday, and a distant one at that. Too short, too wide and too easily dominated by England’s openers, Johnson left Ponting with few alternatives other than to withdraw him from the attack after just three overs in the hope Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus would prove less wasteful with the new ball.

Australia depend heavily on Mitchell Johnson to provide the breakthroughs. He is the only bowler in the Australian line up who can run through a batting line up. His bad form has been the main reason why England are in such a great position in the second test at Lord’s

Ashes 2009 : England dont enforce follow on

England opted against enforcing the follow-on, despite closing out the Australian innings 10 runs shy of the target on the third morning of the second Test. Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook came out to bat in the second innings under clear skies with a 210-run lead behind them. Surely, the hosts will never have a better chance to end Australia’s proud 75-year unbeaten streak at Lord’s.

But I am not discounting the Aussies yet as the Aussies are known for making comebacks and the English are known for crumbling under sustained pressure from opposition.

Ashes 2009 : England dont enforce follow on

England opted against enforcing the follow-on, despite closing out the Australian innings 10 runs shy of the target on the third morning of the second Test. Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook came out to bat in the second innings under clear skies with a 210-run lead behind them. Surely, the hosts will never have a better chance to end Australia’s proud 75-year unbeaten streak at Lord’s.

But I am not discounting the Aussies yet as the Aussies are known for making comebacks and the English are known for crumbling under sustained pressure from opposition.

England vs Australia 2nd Ashes Test (2009) Day 3 Updates

Day 1 - England 1st innings 364/6 (AJ Strauss 161*, SCJ Broad 7*, 90 ov)
Day 2 - Australia 1st innings 156/8 (NM Hauritz 3*, PM Siddle 3*, 49 ov)

Australia 1st Innings

* Australia lost 9th wicket in 59th over - 9-196 (Hauritz, 58.3 ov)
* Australia: 200 runs in 59.1 overs (357 balls), Extras 12
* Australia lost 10th wicket in 63rd over - 10-215 (Siddle, 62.6 ov)
* Innings Break: Australia - 215/10 in 63.0 overs (BW Hilfenhaus 6)
* England lead by 210 runs after the end of 1st innings.

England 2nd Innings

* Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook starts the 2nd Innings with a lead of 210 in 1st innings.
* England: 50 runs in 9.6 overs (60 balls), Extras 1
* 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 60 balls (AJ Strauss 19, AN Cook 30, Ex 1)
* Lunch: England - 57/0 in 13.0 overs (AJ Strauss 24, AN Cook 32)
* England lost 1st wicket in 15th over - 1-61 (Cook, 14.1 ov)
* England lost 2nd wicket in 17th over - 2-74 (Strauss, 16.2 ov)
* England: 100 runs in 22.6 overs (139 balls), Extras 10
* Drinks: England - 105/2 in 26.0 overs (RS Bopara 11, KP Pietersen 16)
* 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 119 balls (RS Bopara 14, KP Pietersen 22, Ex 14)
* Tea: England - 130/2 in 40.0 overs (RS Bopara 19, KP Pietersen 28)
* England lost 3rd wicket in 45th over - 3-147 (Bopara, 44.4 ov)
* England: 150 runs in 44.5 overs (271 balls), Extras 23
* England lost 4th wicket in 52nd over - 4-174 (Pietersen, 51.1 ov)
* England: 200 runs in 55.1 overs (334 balls), Extras 25
* Drinks: England - 215/4 in 57.0 overs (PD Collingwood 24, MJ Prior 30)
* 5th Wicket: 50 runs in 49 balls (PD Collingwood 14, MJ Prior 35, Ex 1)
* MJ Prior: 50 off 37 balls (7 x 4)
* England: 250 runs in 62.4 overs (380 balls), Extras 29
* England lost 5th wicket in 64th over - 5-260 (Prior, 63.2 ov)
* PD Collingwood: 50 off 72 balls (4 x 4)
* England: 300 runs in 68.6 overs (420 balls), Extras 31
* 6th Wicket: 50 runs in 48 balls (PD Collingwood 19, A Flintoff 30, Ex 2)
* England lost 6th wicket in 72nd over - 6-311 (Collingwood, 71.2 ov)
* Rain: England - 311/6 in 71.2 overs (A Flintoff 30)
* End Of Day: England - 311/6 in 71.2 overs (A Flintoff 30)
* England lead by 521 runs with 4 wickets remaining

Ashes 2009 : Careless Australia lose the plot

Australia has been very careless in the second Ashes Test at Lords. Its 75-year unbeaten record at Lord’s is facing its greatest threat. Five of their batsmen fell to hook shots, they could have simply swayed out of the way. The bowlers have already let England get to a pretty good score.

Anderson turned in a performance befitting his recently-acquired mantle of England spearhead, maintaining a threatening line and swinging the ball just enough to create angst among the opposing batsmen. With Flintoff conceding runs at barely two-per-over at the other end, and Stuart Broad and Graham Onions constantly probing the outside edge, England created a pressurised atmosphere in which the Australians spectacularly cracked. The tourists lost six wickets for the addition of just 49 runs after tea, and must now hope for more of the rain periods that interrupted the second day’s play if they are to emerge from this match unscathed.

The teams seemed to have revered roles in this match. In the first test England was playing catch up all the time and in the second test its Australia’s turn to play catch up.

Ashes 2009 : Careless Australia lose the plot

Australia has been very careless in the second Ashes Test at Lords. Its 75-year unbeaten record at Lord’s is facing its greatest threat. Five of their batsmen fell to hook shots, they could have simply swayed out of the way. The bowlers have already let England get to a pretty good score.

Anderson turned in a performance befitting his recently-acquired mantle of England spearhead, maintaining a threatening line and swinging the ball just enough to create angst among the opposing batsmen. With Flintoff conceding runs at barely two-per-over at the other end, and Stuart Broad and Graham Onions constantly probing the outside edge, England created a pressurised atmosphere in which the Australians spectacularly cracked. The tourists lost six wickets for the addition of just 49 runs after tea, and must now hope for more of the rain periods that interrupted the second day’s play if they are to emerge from this match unscathed.

The teams seemed to have revered roles in this match. In the first test England was playing catch up all the time and in the second test its Australia’s turn to play catch up.

England vs Australia 2nd Ashes Test (2009) Day 2 Updates

England 1st Innings

* England lost 7th wicket in 91st over - 7-364 (Strauss, 90.2 ov)
* England lost 8th wicket in 92nd over - 8-370 (Swann, 91.5 ov)
* England lost 9th wicket in 93rd over - 9-378 (Broad, 92.6 ov)
* England: 400 runs in 97.6 overs (596 balls), Extras 25
* England lost 10th wicket in 102nd over - 10-425 (Anderson, 101.4 ov)
* Innings Break: England - 425/10 in 101.4 overs (G Onions 17)

Australia 1st Innings

* Australia lost 1st wicket in 3rd over - 1-4 (Hughes, 2.3 ov)
* Australia lost 2nd wicket in 7th over - 2-10 (Ponting, 6.6 ov)
* Lunch: Australia - 22/2 in 12.0 overs (SM Katich 8, MEK Hussey 4)
* Rain: Australia - 31/2 in 16.0 overs (SM Katich 12, MEK Hussey 9)
* Rain: Australia - 49/2 in 19.3 overs (SM Katich 25, MEK Hussey 14)
* Australia: 50 runs in 20.5 overs (125 balls), Extras 4
* 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 99 balls (SM Katich 28, MEK Hussey 25, Ex 0)
* Tea: Australia - 87/2 in 29.0 overs (SM Katich 40, MEK Hussey 37)
* Australia: 100 runs in 30.6 overs (186 balls), Extras 4
* Australia lost 3rd wicket in 33rd over - 3-103 (Katich, 32.4 ov)
* MEK Hussey: 50 off 82 balls (8 x 4)
* Australia lost 4th wicket in 36th over - 4-111 (Hussey, 35.6 ov)
* Australia lost 5th wicket in 37th over - 5-111 (Clarke, 36.3 ov)
* Australia lost 6th wicket in 43rd over - 6-139 (North, 42.3 ov)

Ashes 2009 : Strauss leads from the front at Lord’s

Sensational hundred from the captain as England reach 364 for six after day one of the second npower Ashes Series Test at Lord’s.

Ashes 2009 England Vs Australia 4th Day Full Highlights

England VS Australia 4th Day Highlights Ashes Test serie...............

Ashes 2009 : Lee out of the first test

Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has been ruled out of the first Ashes test against the England starting from Wednesday due to side injury. Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris has confirmed in a press conference that Brett Lee will miss the series opener after the scan reports came in.

Kountouris also added that Lee will be doubtful for the second test to be plated at Lord’s as well.

Lee has performed amazingly in the warm-up matches being played against the England Lions in Worcester. Lee took six wickets for 76 runs, which proved he is back in his form and could be dangerous for the England if he was able to play.

“The scan revealed he has a small strain in one of his abdominal muscles - the internal oblique muscle,” Kountouris said. “It is not as bad as it could have been, so we are going to monitor it over the next couple of weeks.”

Asked if Lee would be fit for next week’s second Test at Lord’s, Kountouris added: “He is not out but the chances are slim.”

This injury was a bitter blow for Lee, Australia’s senior fast bowler on tour with 310 wickets from 76 Tests.

The 32-year-old Lee has not played a Test since December because of foot and heel injuries but his performance against Worcester appeared to have seen him win his ‘bowl-off’ with Stuart Clark for a pace berth alongside fellow quicks Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.

Lee repeatedly stressed his disappointment at missing the series opener but insisted the injury was not as bad as it could have been.

“This is only a small obstacle put in front of me,” he told reporters. “If it was my ankle and something of a structural thing I would be a lot more concerned.”

Brett Lee is a major blow for the Aussies as they don’t have any of the experienced bowling attack in the squad. Lee is the only one with good experience of Ashes tour of England. So now Australia team will come with a new inexperienced bowling attack against the England in the Ashes opener.