England snatch the Ashes at the Oval
August 24, 2009
A see-saw 2009 Ashes series was decided yesterday at the Brit Oval, with England taking the Ashes by two Tests to one.
Having beaten Australia at Lord’s for the first time in 75 years, England had given their lead away in the penultimate Test at Headingley, where they were beaten by an innings by an Australian side which seemed to have shaken off the uncharacteristic inconsistency that had plagued its tour.
Coming into the final Test, with England’s middle order looking fragile and Australia seemingly dominant once again, few would have given the home side much of a chance of emerging victorious. That feeling persisted after they made just 332 after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
The pitch had shown signs of very early deterioration as well as signs of taking spin on that first day, but the total still seemed a number of runs short at a ground where high scores are commonplace. When Australia reached 73-0, England supporters were pessimistic.
At that point, the entire series spun on its axis thanks to England’s new all-rounder, Stuart Broad. England’s talisman, Andrew Flintoff, might have been playing his final Test, but the spotlight belonged to the man who might prove to be his replacement. In a breathtaking spell of bowling, Broad destroyed Australia’s top order, taking 5-37 and from that point on, England were suddenly favourites.
