Andrew Flintoff has signed off his last test at Lord’s by claiming a five-wicket haul to bundle out Australia on the morning of the fifth day of the Second Ashes Test, giving England a 1-0 lead with three to play.
Flintoff will retire from test cricket at the end of the current series, but he put his English side into a great position to send him off with an Ashes win after a 115-run win set up by his figures of five for 92 from 27 overs, including three of the five wickets to fall today.
With Australia needing a further 209 runs to reach 522 for the win with five wickets in hand, centurion Michael Clarke strode out with Brad Haddin to set about chasing an unlikely victory. It only took a couple of overs, however, before Haddin (80) edged Flintoff to second slip without adding to his overnight score, and this time there were no doubts about Paul Collingwood’s catch.
Mitchell Johnson joined Clark and took the leading role in their partnership, interspersing some plays and misses with strong shots to both sides of the wicket. The score reached 356 nearing drinks when England captain Andrew Strauss brought off-spinner Graeme Swann on to bowl.
Inexplicably Clark, who is renowned as an excellent player of spin bowling, almost immediately angled his bat to miss a full toss from Swann which hit his off stump. With Clark (136) went any hope Australia had of saving the match.
Nathan Hauritz (1) and Peter Siddle (7) were then bowled by Flintoff, followed by Johnson (63) bowled by Swann trying to hit out. Ben Hilfenhaus was not out on four.
