Freddie's day

It was the Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff show at Lord's overnight as England wrapped up the second Ashes test. You just knew it was going to happen, as soon as Flintoff announced his pending retirement on the eve of the match - Flintoff would be in the limelight as he farewelled the "home of cricket". And so it was. We chuckled too when we heard Flintoff ruefully admit to "milking the crowd" - something he has made into an art form!

The match was effectively over when Brad Haddin was dismissed from the tenth ball of the final day - caught by Collingwood, off Flintoff - of course. Flintoff finished with his first five-wicket bag at Lord's, and was well supported by Graham Swann who took the crucial wickets of Michael Clark and Mitchell Johnston. Cricinfo reviews England's triumphant day.

So England head to Edgbaston in Birmingham with a one-nil lead in the five-match series. Edgbaston is known as "the bullring", and the passionate home crowd there is often referred to as "England's twelth man". Things will not get any easier for Ponting's men. Oh dear; how sad; never mind!