Return of The Ashes feels like a dream, says Flintoff

LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff says winning the Ashes is “like a dream” after the Aussies were sent packing in dramatic fashion.

“It’s an amazing feeling. I’m just trying to take it all in - I don’t know whether to laugh all cry. I don’t know what to do with myself,” he said.

There were emotional scenes on the field and in the stands as the England team and fans celebrated winning cricket’s most famous prize.

The 197-run win was especially sweet for England after the humiliating 5-0 thrashing in Australia in 2007.

“It’s a very special moment for us. It’s been a very, very tough week for all of us. You felt it was close, but the closer it got the tougher it got,” The Sun quoted captain Andrew Strauss as saying on England’s Ashes victory.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman passed on congratulations from the Queen.

“The Queen congratulates the England team on their victory in The Ashes, and extends her good wishes to both teams on their excellent performances over the course of the series,” he said.

It was Flintoff’s brilliant run-out of Aussie captain Ricky Ponting this afternoon that was the turning point in the match. It allowed the England bowlers to tear into the Australian rearguard.

Australia had needed more than 500 runs over two days to walk away with the Ashes.

It was always going to be a tough task - but the Aussies had been expected to hold out until Monday.

But wickets fell with abandon through the afternoon and Ponting’s run-out was the key moment.

Ponting said: “We’re all disappointed, obviously, and I guess for me as the captain of the side it’s even more disappointing. It’s probably fair to say I’ve had a few disappointing times here. It’s probably not my favourite ground in the world.” (ANI)