OTD | Andrew Flintoff’s brilliant all round performance guided England 

Cricket has seen multiple rivalries between several nations but the rivalry between Australia and England is one of the oldest and most iconic rivalries the fans have ever witnessed. But when these two teams face each other in the Ashes Series, things get more heated as the players become more passionate to win the game.

One such incident happened on this day (August 7) in the 2005 Ashes series when the former legendary English allrounder Andrew Flintoff displayed a phenomenal all-round performance and helped the team to achieve one of the most iconic victories ever in any Ashes series.

It was the 2nd Test of the series which was played at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Australian team won the toss and elected to field first. With the help of a brilliant 112-run opening stand by Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss, the English side aimed for a big total in the first innings. Flintoff added 68 runs off just 62 balls as England ended up scoring 407 runs.

Coming to bat, Australia were able to score only 308 runs in response. Flintoff and Ashely Giles picked up 3 wickets each to help the team gain an almost 100-run lead. However, the English batters displayed a horrible performance in the 2nd innings and got bundled out on the score of just 182 runs. Flintoff was the highest run-scorer in the 2nd innings with a magnificent and responsible 73-run knock.

Australia came to bat and lost their 8 wickets on the score of just 175 runs, they were still behind more than 100 runs off the target. But their tailender batters Shane Warner and Brett Lee came out of the syllabus for the English side. Warne scored 42 runs while Lee was unbeaten on the score of 43 runs but it was once again Flintoff who provided a crucial breakthrough and dismissed Warner in a horrible way as he got hit wicket.

England fell just 2 runs short of the victory and Flintoff was the architect of England’s win as he once again displayed a brilliant bowling performance and dismissed 4 Australian batters in the final innings. For his all-around effort, he was also selected Player of the Match.