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| Plaudits roll in for Ashes stars | Plaudits roll in for Ashes stars |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Queen has led tributes to England's cricket team after they reclaimed the coveted Ashes from the Australians. | The Queen has led tributes to England's cricket team after they reclaimed the coveted Ashes from the Australians. |
| Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said it was a "fantastic achievement" and London Mayor Boris Johnson hailed the team for their courage and talents. | |
| The team spent last night celebrating but there is unlikely to be a repeat of the open-top bus parade which followed the last Ashes victory in 2005. | |
| Captain Andrew Strauss said it would be a "nice muted celebration this year". | |
| The team still has a packed schedule ahead of them and are flying to Belfast on Tuesday for a one-day international. | |
| In 2005, hundreds of thousands of fans lined the streets of London to watch the team parade. | In 2005, hundreds of thousands of fans lined the streets of London to watch the team parade. |
| Strauss said: "The last time we hadn't won the Ashes for 18 years so it was almost a step into the unknown for all of us. No-one in the team had won an Ashes series before," he said. | Strauss said: "The last time we hadn't won the Ashes for 18 years so it was almost a step into the unknown for all of us. No-one in the team had won an Ashes series before," he said. |
| "This time there were a few in the side that have. We have got to be conscious that this is just a stepping stone. It's not the end in itself." | "This time there were a few in the side that have. We have got to be conscious that this is just a stepping stone. It's not the end in itself." |
| I think it will take some time to sink in Andrew Flintoff | I think it will take some time to sink in Andrew Flintoff |
| However, his humility did not stop the champagne flowing and fireworks exploding on Sunday when he lifted the tiny Ashes trophy - a replica of the real urn - after securing victory in the final test at The Oval by 197 runs. | However, his humility did not stop the champagne flowing and fireworks exploding on Sunday when he lifted the tiny Ashes trophy - a replica of the real urn - after securing victory in the final test at The Oval by 197 runs. |
| Strauss, who was named man of the series, said it had been a rollercoaster of a day. | Strauss, who was named man of the series, said it had been a rollercoaster of a day. |
| "So many emotions we went through today, hope, frustration, worry, despair at times when we didn't look like we were going to take a wicket, and then to come through and to finish it off, until you actually get over the line, you don't realise how hard it is to get over that line." | "So many emotions we went through today, hope, frustration, worry, despair at times when we didn't look like we were going to take a wicket, and then to come through and to finish it off, until you actually get over the line, you don't realise how hard it is to get over that line." |
| Knee injury | Knee injury |
| It was Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff's last Test match and he exited in style by dismissing Australian captain Ricky Ponting with a run out. | It was Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff's last Test match and he exited in style by dismissing Australian captain Ricky Ponting with a run out. |
| He said it was "like a dream". | He said it was "like a dream". |
| England cricket fans celebrate regaining the Ashes | England cricket fans celebrate regaining the Ashes |
| "You know, everything that has happened over the past few years, to be involved in an Ashes winning side again, to be at The Oval, walking around the ground with the urn and the medal round your neck, it's almost surreal in some ways," he said. | "You know, everything that has happened over the past few years, to be involved in an Ashes winning side again, to be at The Oval, walking around the ground with the urn and the medal round your neck, it's almost surreal in some ways," he said. |
| "I think it will take some time to sink in." | "I think it will take some time to sink in." |
| Flintoff has withdrawn from the England squad for the upcoming matches and will undergo surgery for a knee injury. | Flintoff has withdrawn from the England squad for the upcoming matches and will undergo surgery for a knee injury. |
| He will miss Thursday's match in Ireland, the Twenty20 internationals, the series against Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. | He will miss Thursday's match in Ireland, the Twenty20 internationals, the series against Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. |
| The victory sparked joyous scenes at the London ground, and also in pubs, bars and living rooms across the country. | The victory sparked joyous scenes at the London ground, and also in pubs, bars and living rooms across the country. |
| Thousands of fans were able to soak up the sun and the action on a big screen set up in Regent's Park. | Thousands of fans were able to soak up the sun and the action on a big screen set up in Regent's Park. |
| Celebrations went on late into the night for fans, but for the cricketers it was a more low-key affair than in 2005 with players returning to their London hotel around midnight. | |
| 'Big boost' | 'Big boost' |
| A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Queen congratulates the England team on their victory in The Ashes, and extends her good wishes to both teams on their excellent performances over the course of the series." | A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Queen congratulates the England team on their victory in The Ashes, and extends her good wishes to both teams on their excellent performances over the course of the series." |
| This is a big boost for English cricket and the team have done the whole country proud Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe | This is a big boost for English cricket and the team have done the whole country proud Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe |
| Downing Street said the prime minister, who is on holiday, is to write to the England team congratulating them on their "exhilarating" win. | Downing Street said the prime minister, who is on holiday, is to write to the England team congratulating them on their "exhilarating" win. |
| Retired international umpire, Dickie Bird, was both delighted and perplexed by the Australian team selection. | Retired international umpire, Dickie Bird, was both delighted and perplexed by the Australian team selection. |
| "It was a tremendous performance. A wonderful performance, to regain the Ashes," he said. | "It was a tremendous performance. A wonderful performance, to regain the Ashes," he said. |
| "But you know, I can't understand this selection of the Australian side, why they went in without a spinner, they must be bonkers. To go in without a spinner at The Oval in the last test, well it's just unbelievable." | "But you know, I can't understand this selection of the Australian side, why they went in without a spinner, they must be bonkers. To go in without a spinner at The Oval in the last test, well it's just unbelievable." |
| Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe, who was at The Oval, said: "This is a big boost for English cricket and the team have done the whole country proud." | Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe, who was at The Oval, said: "This is a big boost for English cricket and the team have done the whole country proud." |
| Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "England have spun, swung and swatted their way to an incredible triumph. | Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "England have spun, swung and swatted their way to an incredible triumph. |
| "It is a wonderful achievement and testament to the courage, determination and remarkable array of talents within this fantastic cricketing team." | "It is a wonderful achievement and testament to the courage, determination and remarkable array of talents within this fantastic cricketing team." |