3. Andrew Flintoff 68, 73, 52-3, 79-4 vs Australia 2nd test, Edgbaston 2005
Batting first on a decent pitch of Edgbaston, England added 409 runs on the board with immense contributions from Marcus Threscothick and Kevin Pietersen. Andrew Flintoff made a blistering half-century in the end with 6 fours and 5 massive sixes. Australia were restricted to 308 runs in reply. Flintoff added 3 wickets in his account giving mere 52 runs. England’s batting line up failed against Shane Warne’s superlative piece of bowling and hence were bowled out at 182. Andrew Flintoff, being the savior played an astounding innings(74) yet again. Australia needed 282 runs to win their 2nd test match in a row. Australian openers were looking well set, and then came the majestic over of Freddie Flintoff. He dismissed Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting in the same over. “Magnificent cricket from this man.. Really! He has set this place alive,” uttered the commentator after seeing such splendid spell. Flintoff’s prodigious all round performance took England towards the most dramatic glory ever in the history of Test cricket, as the winning margin was mere 2 runs.
