The Oval, London (GenevaLunch) – England managed to avoid their tendency of seizing defeat from the jaws of victory by beating Australia by 197 runs in the deciding Test at the Oval to win the Ashes.
They owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the groundsman for producing a wicket that guaranteed a result, to Andrew Strauss for winning the toss, to Stuart Broad for a great performance in the first innings, and to the Australian selectors for not picking a specialist spinner. The umpires also did their bit on occasion but cannot really be given credit for the win.
Wickets fell steadily throughout the day: some in rather bizarre ways like the running out of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, others were a result of the continuous pressure from the English bowlers. Michael Hussey lead the resistance with 121 before being caught at short leg to end the match.
Stuart Broad was selected as man of the match, and Andrew Strauss man of the series for England.
Details: The Guardian
