Birthday special: Andrew Flintoff – Top 3 performances in international cricket
Former England international, Andrew Flintoff has been one of the all-time great pace spearheads of his side across the three formats. The player scaled heights with his aggression both with the bat and with the ball backed by his impactful performances. As he turns 46 on December 6, we take a look at his top three performances during his professional career in cricket-
5/92 vs Australia, 2009
Back in 2009, when Australia clashed with the Three Lions for the Ashes, Flintoff produced one of his better performances of all time. Flintoff racked up a fifer as he gave away just 92 runs at the Lord’s. However, more than the achievement, Flintoff’s celebration became iconic when he proceeded to get down on one knee, stretch his arms out wide and began chewing his gum with his mouth wide open. This happened when he trapped Australia’s Peter Siddle with an inswinging delivery that found its way through to send the middle stump flying.
167 vs West Indies, 2004
In 2004, Flintoff took the West Indies by storm when he battered the rival side for 167 runs in the 2nd Test at Edgbaston. His innings included as many as 17 fours and seven towering sixes which propelled the side to score 566/9d. The Windies bundled out for 222 runs in their second innings, handing a victory to the Three Lions by 256 runs. The star all-rounder also bagged two wickets in the contest.
‘Shirtless’ act against India, 2002
On February 3, 2002, the English side narrowly won the contest against India courtesy of Flintoff’s match-winning innings. The Sourav Ganguly-led side were to chase 256 runs and began the run chase with a commanding start. Flintoff was handed the ball when India required just 11 to win off the last over. In an interesting turn of events, he ran out Anil Kumble and bowled Javagal Srinath with successive balls to dismiss India for 250 and win the match for his side. He removed his shirt in the celebration which added salt to the wounds of Indian players.
