Spirit of Cricket, with Lee and Flintoff

Brett Lee and Andrew Flintoff share their memories from the thrilling second Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2005

[@mattybones2757]

Im Aussie but this is 2005 Ashes series have to be the best series ever for all the drama, sportsman spirit and and sheer determination by both teams....every match was a nail biter

[@leeroyc4148]

Im aussie, the 2005 ashes series was the best ever. You never knew who would win.

[@BongSau83]

While this test was on I was working in a remote part of Australia that didn't have TV reception. We listened to the whole match on and off on ABC radio. I swear not having the visual element made it all the more intense. Halfway through day five most of the camp had given up hope and were busy getting on with it. Then slowly but surely we'd get updates from some of the other blokes and the tension started to build. By the end Jim Maxwell had a group of about 20 of us, 200 kms from any civilization, hanging on his every word. Easily the most extraordinary sporting experience I've ever had.

[@iain075]

BongSau83 cricket and radio is a fabulous combination isn't it? Plus the fact that you get more thoughtful commentary on radio and less bollocks. I grew up listening to the tests down under on radio at crazy o clock in the morning. Great memories. Apart from the thrashing that you guys doled out of course!

[@MaMu-fv8uo]

One of the greatest tests ever.

[@garryablett100]

Cricket is maybe better on the radio. The commentators are better as they don't have the visuals to lean on.

[@SilentHotdog28]

I know what you are talking about in a similar vein, I remember my dad, brother and I were driving back from Melbourne to regional Victoria and we were listening on the radio to when Michael Clarke got 3 wickets in 1 over, it was so exhilarating, even though this was on radio, the commentary team was doing a great job of putting a picture in our minds of exactly what was happening. As heartbreaking as the 2005 ashes series was and especially this match, it makes me extremely proud as an Aussie, that we fought until the end, we got our revenge in 2007 by Belting England 5-0 and Amazing Adelaide was the cherry on top of an amazing cake. As an adult, I know this might sound silly, but one of my favourite cricketing moments was when we retained during 2019 England Ashes, we could have and should have won, sure......but damn we did well considering Smith wasn't playing some of those matches.

[@nihinduthesanhida467]

This is truly the right sprit of Cricket. It is not just a sport but something that unites us all!!!

[@CricketBuffOne]

It was a great example of sportsmanship. Will always remain in the memory of fans.

[@brodeekitchin-fitz5606]

I am an Aussie Cricket fanatic, and i hate when we lose, especially to England, but this series, and especially this match was just great. And Freddie Flintoff is one of the very few English players that I "like". The fact that we lost frustrated me, but that image of Freddie and Binga was just great.

[@tino6440]

Love his big bash commentary

[@brodeekitchin-fitz5606]

Yeah. Freddie and KP have been awesome in the Big Bash so far.

[@angstBali]

I'll be there by the next Aussie home series

[@adehodgson8152]

Brodee Kitchin-Fitz The 2005 ashes showed what true cricket is doesnt matter if your a aussie english or other country this series was enjoyable for all cricket fans and one team didnt win the sport won

[@MaMu-fv8uo]

As I said above: one of the greatest tests ever. Top class cricket, all summer,, played at the level of the two teams at the time.

[@nickon8er294]

"We look over and McGrath's on the floor and I'm like oheyoai whas this?" I love Freddy

[@prasithoudomvilay8454]

He was so happy that mcgrath didn't play and England knew mcgrath is one of the biggest threat

[@raystephens1142]

@@prasithoudomvilay8454 of course, all Poms were mate. Sad for him, and we knew we shouldn’t have been happy for the contest…but the man was just a nagging, off stump bowling machine. One of the finest I’ve seen…

[@tonyska]

I remember this series so well, every match was so tense. I doubt I will ever see another series like it. I think it probably saved English cricket in a way. It was fiercely competitive but there didn't seem to be the hatred that is sometimes displayed today. Two great sides who respected each other. Hats off to the Aussies, what they nearly pulled off in this Test Match was incredible. Brett Lee is a class act, as is Freddie Flintoff.

[@SilentHotdog28]

This series is why Freddie is my favourite English Cricketer of all time, you hear the Barmy Army singing about wishing Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were Pommies, but we wished Freddie was Aussie, he is an Aussie to a tee, but English haha.

[@adeemraza8845]

I witnessed 2005 Ashes from first ball till last and it made me believe that Test cricket was at its best with suspense,aggression,sledging etc. The last moments were pretty heart pumping and i had goose bumps even though i am from Pakistan. It felt like i was a British Citizen hoping and praying for Englands victory ball by ball with agony till Harmison ended the suspense and Freddy Flintoff and Brett Lee showing true spirit of cricket. Hat off to all the legends.

[@puntervishen13]

As famously put by some wise man "if you want world peace , teach Americans and Russians how to play Cricket" nothing sum up the above quote then this picture of Freddie Flintoff and Brett Lee. At the time I was occasionally following this beautiful game , but this series made me fall in love with it. ICC should make documentary on this series.

[@whouster]

Well said, sir!

[@vijay2421]

They have a documentary of this series. It’s fantastic.

[@puntervishen13]

@@vijay2421 hey bro , do u know the name of the documentary?

[@cash1927]

Rahul Kumar The Ashes: The Greatest Series. 3 disc dvd box set. Cover has a photo of Michael Vaughan holding the urn and it’s available online at Amazon.

[@puntervishen13]

@@cash1927 thanks bro

[@trapper439]

Aussie here. I love the sporting rivalry we have with England. No quarter asked, and none given. I love it when we beat them, and I love it almost as much when they beat us. Freddie Flintoff is a goddamned legend, and the 2005 Ashes is the best sporting contest I expect to see in my lifetime. It was an honour to watch it, even from the losing perspective.

[@imperiallover]

Likewise, sir. We love to beat you, but there's always a respect for Australian sport - you're a committed bunch! Look forward to later this year!

[@MrMiD.Life.Crisis]

I love the attitude the Aussies played that series with, even straight after England won there was no huge sorrow shown and instead there was huge excitement for the next ashes series. It was as if Australia were happy that England could finally give them a contest. Thats real sportsmanship.

[@grahamd1318]

I'm English, but most of my favourite cricketers are Aussies. Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.....Just wow. Oh and Gilchrist of course. The Freak.... He was incredible.

[@sezza8516]

The players & team they had from 99 onwards when they dominated was just scary, nearly all of them world class, Aussies must have loved watching them back then knowing they weren't losing, unlike now where they're about the same level as Scotland

[@hez5354]

@@sezza8516 true, our bowling line up is good but then we struggle to find a good set of keepers , middle order batter and openers. And we can’t find a good captain

[@timp1390]

Fair play Graham.

[@WinThis1]

@@sezza8516 aaaand now england are there and aussies are top of the world (drugged icc rankings but still)

[@darkspark525]

There are loads of Aussie cricketers who've been our fiercest of sporting enemies. I've enjoyed every single one....but no more please

[@oysterman250]

An iconic moment in cricketing history. Brett Lee won huge admiration from a lot of England supporters (myself included) for his obdurate and battling performance. Not forgetting Kasprowicz who also played out of his skin to get Australia so close. A truly epic match and final day.

[@TheIkaraCult]

All of us in England love Brett for that innings, he was a titan that day

[@SilentHotdog28]

As do Aussies with Flintoff, he is an Aussie Pom haha, he is an absolute character and bogan, but too bad he is English haha. For real, he is my favourite English cricketer of all time.

[@hutche]

The beauty of cricket is that it doesn't change in the matter of seconds, it takes time and when it does it equally hurts. This match I still remember like it happened yesterday , me and my dad (God rest his soul) were watching and scratching our heads and tensed and all of a sudden the most ridiculous ball would win for England. Beautiful game it was, thee greatest ever played.

[@MrMiD.Life.Crisis]

I love the attitude the Aussies played that series with, even straight after England won there was no huge sorrow shown and instead there was huge excitement for the next ashes series. It was as if Australia were happy that England could finally give them a contest. Thats real sportsmanship.

[@austinlocke1]

Great set of interviews for a Great Test Match. I remember just pacing up and down the room for those last few overs. There is nothing like a five day test match and this was one of the very best. A five day match is played with body, spirit, soul and mind needing supreme fitness but as importantly a degree of personal valour, commitment and mental alertness unlike any other sport. Both teams had these qualities in abundance for this confrontation. Great stuff.

[@bhagyeshkulkarni9259]

Absolutely agreed! 👍

[@anandbakshi4391]

I still remember this game like it was yesterday, one of d greatest cricket match ever.

[@dhruvmahajan258]

Best ever ashes of all time 2005 what a memory best time watching highlight every time 2005 ashes

[@jameshope398]

For me the defining moment of the 2005 ashes series the photograph of Lee and Freddie at the end of that match

[@woodywoodpecker1984]

I remember that summer. It was one of the most intense sporting altercations regardless of sport - and the way they fought hard on the pitch but showed great sportsmanship for the most part (ponting about sub fielders aside) - it's a game and these guys epitomised it throughout the series.

[@Krapvag]

the best thing about '05 from an England perspective is that we did it against the best Aussie side, not waiting till they fell back down to mortal levels with the rest of the cricketing world. That's what you had to do to beat them, too bad we got hammered 5-0 in return

[@garryablett100]

Im an Aussie but I love Freddy Flintoff. Love the ashes

[@TherymasterWidnes]

I was there. What a game and what a series.

[@diesel8447]

In this era these player's (both sides) made the Ashes feel extremely important. Freddie isn't the only good pom, they were all excellent but he's one who wears his heart on his sleeve. Good bloke's.

[@akshatabhishek3569]

I am Indian but I am in love with "ASHES"

[@mrkipling2201]

Best test series ever in my opinion.

[@AlonsoRules]

That was Test Cricket at its absolute finest.

[@mathewdeering]

Freddie's such a good lad. We'll take him any time.

[@nayeemm2832]

One of the best Game of Cricket!

[@paulgray7014]

2005 what a summer beating the great Australian team loved watching Freddie, Brett Lee and Shane Warne that summer

[@peterjet3819]

Classic series, even though we lost I loved every moment

[@AyeshaKhan-zl2os]

Really true sportsmanship.... really very good people 👏

[@07sanjeewakaru]

There was no internet..TV,Radio coverage...catching up with BBC world service bulletins and waiting to see the split seconds of footage on sports news...Here from Sri Lanka.... What a series......!!!!

[@prasithoudomvilay8454]

I was so heartbroken when that happened! What an ashes series it was! Looking through the batting entire series the tail batted better than the actual batsman. Brett lee top scored twice 43* and 47. Shane warne 90. England had a young side and Australia had an old side pretty much same team from 2001 ashes except two changes michael clarke and Simon katich.

[@sathvikkumar3577]

Simply the best test series ever

[@reddingsnuthouse]

that was best test series ever

[@byronwoods6173]

The current australian team should watch this

[@zafarahmedkhan8401]

and they should start playing for the emblem

[@reneoslizlok7216]

Great series. Heartbreaking but worthy. Freddy one of my favourites. KP too. Cook, Root, Anderson, Broad. Hope we win but respect Lions!

[@mrhufflepuff6443]

Am I the only Englishman who actually really likes and respects the Aussies both past and present, am I the only one who doesn't think their as bad as some people make out? I'd love to know if there's anybody else like me out there...

[@davidjohnireland4]

Nope, you're on you're on you own mate

[@ajayshrestha6661]

Best moment of test cricket...

[@deepak26v]

This is what makes Test Cricket worth watching

[@wobblertv8083]

Freddie bowled a very heavy ball .....What a great bowler he was ,when he was in good knick.

[@briolewale7230]

Best ashes series ever

[@reddingsnuthouse]

the best test match i have ever seen

[@anandbakshi4391]

Stilll remember naseer Hussains words, a drop catch, a wrong decision could change this game on its head..

[@GWSharpy2]

Always Respected Freddie after this!

[@threebeautifulprincess9053]

Superb superb superb

[@5ty717]

Agree… true spirit.

[@nikejohnson2815]

When that last wicket happend someone was screaming like there were constipated everything was so q

[@NickWatcher]

Flintoff looks like Vettori nowadays

[@nidhiupadhyay9485]

Plzzzz video on Mitchell Johnson and starc sir..

[@what1356]

cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d358014f4e573e15bc52cf0b3b9fe1fa?width=700 Another great example of sportsmanship in another great test match imho

[@saurabh7813]

Why would someone dislike this?

[@chaitanyakishore4124]

😍🏏😍🏏

[@berbatov3890]

Circumstances favoured us that summer. Had McGrath played in all 5 and if Gillespie and Gilchrist weren't on freakishly bad runs of form it could quite easily have been 5-0

[@smallinson]

berbatov3890 If your auntie had bollocks she'd be your uncle.

[@kartikmathur2045]

+smallinson brilliant. Absolutely brilliant

[@anshulsharma2095]

Honest Freddie flintoff

[@vidhyasagar9vidhysagar946]

Now a new era might open up, wi and Aus era is gone!!

[@ishtiaquehossain6350]

Cricket ain't the same anymore. But Ashes STILL is.

[@WinThis1]

hindsight

[@arthurturner9770]

Hmmm tenseness

[@saberracer026]

If Aus had DRS we would have won

[@thebmw5437]

Freddie is the only one I like

[@joshmusic05]

Woo, first comment

[@gravey07]

I fell asleep the moment this started.

[@vidhyasagar9vidhysagar946]

U had many stupid decisions in ur way Australia!

[@gravey07]

Nope.

[@anthonyuchihaplays9295]

I hate this