LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who is to go under the knife on Tuesday, will take his wife Rachael, parents and kids out for dinner, to celebrate the return of the Ashes with the 197-run victory over Australia at The Oval.
“I will take the missus out for dinner and spend the day with my family. But I’ll be ‘nil by mouth’ after midnight on Monday because of the operation,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.
Freddie hurled and hugged his son Corey and sister Holly, five, after the win, while Rachael brought one-year-old son Rocky down from the stands.
Freddie’s emotional dad Colin, 57, joined the wild celebrations, shedding tears of joy as he enjoyed the magical moment. The star’s proud mum Susan also came over to give him a hug.
Fred, who will have an operation to fix a knee injury tomorrow, said: “This is a special moment. I was nearly in tears when I saw my Mum up there. It’s like a dream, quite surreal at the moment. I don’t know what to do with myself.”
The Lancashire hero admitted he would not be repeating the boozy antics which saw him in a near-daze as he celebrated England’s last Ashes triumph in 2005.
The party mood spread nationwide last night among thrilled fans who’d seen England thump fierce rivals Australia to win the fifth and deciding Test by 197 runs.
The resounding victory ensured they clinched the summer series 2-1 and reclaimed the coveted Ashes urn they lost Down Under in 2006.
Captain Andrew Strauss said: “The guys have done amazingly. When we were bad we were very bad, and when we were good, we managed to be good enough.”
The squad headed straight from the pitch to the players’ lounge for a post-match party.
A security guard revealed two more crates of booze had to be sent in early in the evening after the stars nearly drank the bar dry.
The England squad left the Oval in a convoy of taxis just after 11 p.m. to continue their celebrations at their East London hotel.
Fans partied in pubs around the ground - many draped in England flags. England and Aussie supporters drank side by side. Downing Street also saluted the squad last night.
A spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will be writing to congratulate them on their exhilarating victory.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson, called England’s win an “incredible triumph”.
Even gutted Australians praised England in defeat. Tim Hussey, 28, from Melbourne, said: “It was an epic series. And I’m pleased Freddie went out with a bang.” (ANI)
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