21 Jul 2009

England break Lord's hoodoo to go one up in Ashes series

4:27 pm on 21 July 2009

The England cricketers have broken a 75-year Lord's drought against Australia and gone one up in the Ashes series after wrapping up the second test by 115 runs.

Needing to chase down a world record target of 522, Australia were all out for 406, giving the home side a 1-0 lead with three games to play.

The England pace bowler Andrew Flintoff, who is retiring at the end of the series because of a knee injury, had a memorable farewell at the home of cricket, getting his name on the Lord's honours board with a five wicket bag and being named man of the match.

After vice captain Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin had revived Australia's hopes of pulling off an incredible victory with innings of 136 and 80 respectively, Flintoff snuffed out their hopes by taking 3-43 in an unforgettable ten-over spell on the final day.

Australia have a chance to regroup with with a three day match at Northampton starting on Friday night, and the third test in Birmingham starts on Thursday week.