Published: Jan 15, 2015, 09:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 07, 2015, 09:48 PM (IST)
Undoubtedly, it was one of the greatest Tests ever played and that moment, when Andrew Flintoff bent to shake the hands of a dejected Brett Lee, it was captured and went on to be an iconic image of ‘spirit of the game.’
Having lost the first Test at Lord’s, England came back strongly in the next Test at Birmingham, posting 407 in the first innings and then bowled out Australia for 308. Spin wizard Shane Warne swung the game back slightly in Australia’s favour with a six wicket haul to bowl out England for 182, but that was not enough for the best team in the world. They had to go out and chase 282. Their top-order failed miserably and at the end of the fourth day, Australia were reduced to 175 for eight, with Lee and Warne being the overnight batsmen.
In the video called ‘Spirit of Cricket’, released by Cricket Australia, the protagonists of the epic battle – Flintoff and Lee, relive the final moments of the Test.
Excerpts from the video
1.55 to 2.30 minutes: On warming-up for the eventful day
Brett Lee says, “I remember warming up for the day. John Buchanan, our coach had been throwing balls at me and I couldn’t middle and kept missing. Could not get bat on ball. I remember Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and other guys laughing their heads off. And I was thinking that I wouldn’t be in this bloody situation if you guys got there and go some runs. I tried to smack the ball and try and scare the boys at the back of the net. It was bit of fun. I started getting my eye in and felt pretty good.
Soon I felt the spotlight was on me and Warney (Warne). I hadn’t been a situation like this before. Yes, we have tried and saved Test matches or tried scoring winning runs in One Day matches but this is the Ashes and this is what it’s all about!”
Flintoff recalled how the Lee-Warne duo stuck in and got closer to the target and he began to feel tensed about the whole situation.
3.53 to 4.28 minutes: Anxious moments for England
Flintoff recalls, “It got closer and closer. We thought this is going down the wire. All the hard work we put in for the past four days is just going to go unrewarded. As a bowler I wasn’t getting tired because of the importance of the game. I was getting faster and my thought process was getting scrambled. Michael Vaughan was calm as a captain but I wasn’t though. I was getting anxious. I was trying to hit Brett Lee, get him out, was trying everything but he just kept getting back at us.”
Brett Lee calls it one of his most favourite Test matches, even though he tasted many more success in his illustrious career. He remembered how the Barmy Army got behind the English side but as the Australian’s neared the target, they began to get quite, whereas the Australian supporters had found their voice. Australia soon lost Warne with 60 runs still needed. He was out hit wicket to Flintoff and bowler felt that the moment of glory was near.
But there was a twist to the tale.
7.22 to 7.55: Lee’s pep talk to Michael Kasprowicz
Lee reveals, “I said get out of your crease as much as you can. You might wear a few (get hit), but you are playing for this (pointing towards the Australian crest on the shirt). You are playing for Australia here and if you break a rib r get hit, doesn’t matter. He (Kasprowicz) was all for that. We got through that period of time and he was really doing well. I just said him that watch the ball like a hawk.”
With four runs to win, Lee almost had scored a boundary when he smacked one in the off side but he only got a single. Kasprowicz had batted very well for his 20 and then the heartbreak moment arrived.
8.52 to 9.11: The heartbreak moment
Lee said, “Kasper went up and fended it (Harmison delivery) off his rib. Geraint Jones took a wonderful catch down the leg-side and Billy Bowden put his crooked finger up and that was it.”
9.42 to 10.25: Spirit of cricket
It was a moment of joy for England but Flintoff didn’t forget the spirit.
Flintoff: “While growing up as a cricketer in Lancashire, I was told that in victory or defeat, you respect your opposition first and then you have a lot of time to celebrate and do whatever you do.”
Lee: “I then feel the big hands (of Flintoff) coming on my back and it’s Freddie and I look up and he pulled me up. That moment happened. I don’t remembered what he said as I was caught up in emotions. This happened in 10 seconds and he used words of encouragement.”
The Test was no short of a war. There were hits and bruises but Flintoff’s wonderful gesture and Lee’s ‘never say die’ attitude won the hearts of all and ultimately the winner was the sport. The video is bound to give goose bumps.
