Ashes series - Lords

In his final act at the home of cricket, Andrew Flintoff broke England's 75-year Lord's curse with his first five-wicket haul since the Ashes-clinching Oval Test of 2005. It was, unquestionably, a performance that will enhance his already mythical status within English cricket, but more pertinently for now, delivered England to a 1-0 series lead heading into Edgbaston. England have waited 75 years to win at Lords , and they have taken a 1-0 lead in an Ashes series for the first time since 1997.

 

  

  

It was Flintoff all the way.... England having posted a great opening wicket stand slumped a bit to reach as similar a situation as was at Cardiff.. With Strauss being bowled in the 1st over the next day, the onus was on the lower order to put up some vital runs.. And they did it considerably well.. 425 was a par score.. 

Australia were below par in their 1st innings losing 2 early wickets only for Katich and the tired out of form Hussey to bail them out.. Once they were out, the team crumbled to 152 for 8 with Siddle and Hauritz saving the blushes for australia as they played brilliantly to get the team across 200.. 

A lead of 210 was a little too much and Australia had to bowl well to restrict England to a decent score to post a successful chase.. They failed to do so.. Bopara and KP were uncharacteristically slow , Prior played well to post a quick fire half century.. 

The declaration was not all that well timed.. The only reason could have been to use the early morning conditions to get a few wickets but I personally would have loved to have another 60-70 runs more or whatever is got in the 1st hour of play.. It was good that Australia lost Katich early or a good performance from him and/or Hussey could have got Aussies closer.. But it was the big man Freddie all the way.. Took 5 wickets in his final outing at the Lords as a test match player and was instrumental in the win.. Swann played an equally important role.. 

Now, the big question that arises is - How many times have the Aussies failed to play the swinging ball ? Genuine swing or reverse swing Aussies always lose out.. Mitchell Johnson who was hyped as a trump card hasn't bowled well at all going at well over 4 or at sometimes 5 RPO.. Thats ridiculous from a test match point of view.. He may lose out his spot to an accurate Clark if the Aussies want to win and square the series.. 

Andy Flower, coach England has jumped the gun and said England can win without KP and Flintoff ; even if not for performances their mere presence in the team will boost the side's morale and they need to play a crucial role if England are to regain the Ashes.. 

Next match at Birmingham on the 30th of july..